The magical atmosphere that multiplies by approximately 10 million* times as darkness begins to fall*. People come from all over on pilgrimage in India and it is a ritual used to let go and honor loved ones who we have lost. It is the holiest city in India so it isn’t surprising that the spiritual vibe makes it such an incredible place for both tourists and pilgrims to visit. At dusk the Ganga Aarti ceremony is performed whereby small offerings are given to the Goddess Ganga. An aarti is a devotional ritual using fire and it’s common to place a small candle inside a cup made from leaves and flowers and float it down the river. The ritual happens every single day but it still has an intense and magical feeling. We took a small rowing boat just before dark and had plenty of aartis to float down the Ganges. As we placed each one in the water we were told to make a wish and watch it float away. Placing my last aarti in the river was strangely emotional as I watched my final wish be swept away from me. Some do it on boat rides on the ganges
Comment