![]() Ganga Aarti is performed in the places like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi, where numerable lighted 'Diya' or lamps are floated on the waves of River Ganga. It is a spiritual prayer that takes place at the bank of the sacred river Ganga at the ‘Har Ki Pauri’ ghat in Haridwar. Legend of Ganga Aarti According to Hindu Shastras, River Ganga is imagined as a Goddess, who was originated from the Himalayas and then took shelter on the locks of Lord Shiva. King Bhagiratha rescued Ganga and brought her to the earth. Ganga is born out of lotus feet of Lord Vishnu and is famous as a stream of unpolluted water. She is sacred and repository of all virtues. Lord Shiva's locks are the place for Ganga. She is the destroyer of all three kinds of afflictions- physical, mental and providential. It is very difficult to say when the tradition of Ganga Aarti started. Nevertheless, the Ganga Aarti at ‘Har Ki Pauri’ was started by Pundit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1910s. Rituals of Ganga Aarti Ganga Aarti takes place facing the river. The lamps are lit and circled around by the pandits (Hindu priests) in a clockwise way, accompanied by the songs in praise of Mother Ganga. The idea is that the lamps get the power of the deity. After the ritual is complete, devotees cup their hands over the flame and raise their palms to their forehead in order to get the Goddess's refinement and blessing. ![]() Hymns of Ganga Aarti The Ganga aarti is sung as follows- Arti ganga maiya, man jai sursari maiya Bhav-varidhi-uddharini atihi sudradh naiya, man Jai.... Hari pada-padam-prasuta vimal varidhara, Brahmadeva Bhagirathi shuchi punyagara, man Jai Shankar-jata-viharini, hanoi trya tapa, Sagar-putra-gana-tarini harani sakal papai man Jai... Ganga Ganga jo jana uchcharat mukha son, Dur desh man sthit bhi turat tarat sukh son, man Jai... Mrit ki asthi tanik tuv jal dhara pavai, So jan pavan hokar param dham javai, man Jai Tav tatvasi taruvar, jal thal char prani Pakshi-pashu-patang gati pavai nirvani, man Jai Matu, daya mai kijai dinan par daya Prabhu pad padma milakar Hari lijai maya, man Jai. Bringing in tourists and devotees from all over the world, Ganga Aarti is a ceremony of light and sound where the priests execute prayers with bowls of fire and the ringing of the temple bells. (Last Updated on : 02-01-2018) |
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