Incredible Ganga Aarti in Haridwar at Har-Ki-Pauri Ghat, Uttarakhand

The Ganga Aarti of Haridwar, Uttarakhand, is famous across the world. It is said that taking a dip in the Ganga not only removes one’s sufferings but also washes away all sins. During the Ganga Aarti, crowds of people begin to gather at the ghat. The famous Ganga Aarti takes place every evening at dusk, and the ghats fill with the fragrance of flowers and incense sticks.

Several priests perform this ritual by holding lamps (deepam) and moving them rhythmically to the tunes of devotional hymns (bhajans). Every day, thousands of devotees gather to witness this Aarti, which has been performed not just recently, but for many years.

People from India and abroad come to witness the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar. At Brahmakund in Haridwar, a total of 11 Aartis are performed, including the main Aarti and the supporting Aartis.
If you wish to witness the main Aarti, devotees need to pay ₹2100, while for the other Aartis, the fee is ₹1100.

Online Booking Haridwar Ganga Aarti

The booking for the Ganga Aarti is done according to the Hindu New Year (Nav Samvatsar). This year, the booking started on April 2, and therefore, bookings for the main Aarti are unavailable until August.
In September, only a few special dates are open for booking. Bookings can be made up to March 31, 2023.

As for the 2023–24 year, booking will start from March 22, 2023.
To book the Ganga Aarti, you need to visit the official website of Shri Ganga Sabha – www.shrigangasabha.org, where you can select the desired date and time for booking.

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India’s Cultural Heritage – ‘Haridwar’s Ganga Aarti’

The Ganga Aarti of Haridwar, a symbol of India’s cultural heritage and the faith of millions of devotees, has now gained global recognition. The Ganga Aarti, which has been continuously organized for 109 years at Har Ki Pauri, has been registered in the Oxford Book of Records.

On Friday, at the Ganga Sabha office located at Har Ki Pauri, Suresh Mishra, the representative and patron of the Oxford Books of Records in India, presented the certificate to Shri Ganga Sabha’s President Nitin Gautam, General Secretary Tanmay Vashishtha, and other officials during a ceremony.

The Oxford Book of World Records has given official recognition to this Aarti as one of the most magnificent and continuously performed Aartis in the world. This historic moment is a matter of pride not only for Haridwar and Uttarakhand but for the entire India.

Tradition and Grandeur of Ganga Aarti

The Ganga Aarti, which began in 1916 through the efforts of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, is still known today for its divinity and magnificence. Every day at Har Ki Pauri, thousands of devotees participate in the ceremony three times a day, offering lamps (Deepdaan) and chanting Vedic mantras. Its live broadcast is now viewed across the world.

The Ganga Aarti is not merely a religious ritual, but the soul of Indian culture. The flame of lamps and the sound of the Vedas convey to the whole world the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ — the world is one family.

The daily Ganga Aarti held at Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, with its divine atmosphere, Vedic recitations, thousands of glowing lamps, and the collective presence of devotees, continues to be a center of attraction for pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. It has now received international recognition as one of the grandest and continuously performed Aartis in the world.

Message of Spiritual Peace 

The Ganga Aarti holds social and cultural significance as well. The event conveys a message of world peace, human welfare, and environmental preservation.

Devotees believe that by participating in it, they experience spiritual peace and divine energy. It is noteworthy that the management of Har Ki Pauri is under the Shri Ganga Sabha, an organization of pilgrim priests, which has been conducting this grand Aarti continuously since 1916. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Aarti was performed daily without interruption.

The Oxford World Records certificate was presented at Shri Ganga Sabha. Following this, in the coming year, a delegation from Ganga Sabha will participate in the international ceremony organized at the Oxford Union (UK).

Shri Ganga Sabha’s President Nitin Gautam stated that this is a great achievement for Shri Ganga Sabha, Haridwar, and the people of Uttarakhand. The Ganga Sabha feels honored by this recognition, and he expressed hope that in the future, the Sabha will achieve even greater honors through its devoted work.

Things to do Before Ganga Aarti in Haridwar

Before  witnessing the captivating Ganga Aarti in Haridwar, there are several other attractions and activities to explore in this spiritual city. Here’s a list of things to see and do:

• Har Ki Pauri: Take a leisurely walk along the ghats of Har Ki Pauri, the most famous and sacred ghat in Haridwar. Witness the evening Ganga Aarti from a different perspective and immerse yourself in the divine atmosphere.
• Mansa Devi Temple: Take the cable car or trek to the hilltop Mansa Devi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Mansa Devi. The temple offers panoramic views of Haridwar and the Ganges river.
• Chandi Devi Temple: Another popular temple in Haridwar is the Chandi Devi Temple, situated atop Neel Parvat Hill. Reach the temple by trekking or using the cable car for stunning views of the city.
• Bharat Mata Mandir: Visit the unique Bharat Mata Mandir, a temple dedicated to Mother India. It has a huge relief map of the Indian subcontinent carved in marble.
• Sapt Rishi Ashram: Located about 5 km from Haridwar, this tranquil ashram is where seven great sages are believed to have meditated. The serene surroundings offer a peaceful retreat.
• Rajaji National Park: For nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, a visit to Rajaji National Park is a must. Enjoy a wildlife safari and spot various animals like elephants, tigers, leopards, and many bird species.
• Daksha Mahadev Temple: Visit the Daksha Mahadev Temple, situated in Kankhal, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is known for its association with the story of Sati and Daksha.
• Gurukul Kangri University: Explore the Gurukul Kangri University, an institution renowned for its traditional teaching methods and serene campus.
• Bhimgoda Kund: Located near Har Ki Pauri, Bhimgoda Kund is a sacred pond associated with the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. It is believed to have been created by Bhima’s strike with his mace.
• Floating Lamps at Har Ki Pauri: After the Ganga Aarti, you can participate in the traditional practice of releasing floating lamps into the river as a form of prayer and offering.
• Shopping: Explore the bustling markets of Haridwar and shop for souvenirs, religious items, and local handicrafts like brassware, wooden sculptures, and Ayurvedic products.

Haridwar means the Gateway of Badrinath Dham, 

In Uttarakhand, Haridwar literally means the Gateway of Hari. Hari refers to Lord Vishnu. The city of Haridwar is considered the gateway to Lord Shri Hari (Badrinath), situated on the banks of the Ganga.

In the Puranas, it is also referred to as the Mayapuri region and the Ganga Dwar. It is one of the seven sacred places of India. In Haridwar, Har Ki Pauri is known as Brahmakund. At this world-famous ghat, the Kumbh Mela is held, and the world-renowned Ganga Aarti takes place here.

The Ganga Aarti of Haridwar is world-famous. Witnessing this Aarti attracts not only Indian tourists but also a large number of foreign visitors. On the ghat of the sacred waves of Ganga, known as Har Ki Pauri, an Aarti is performed every evening dedicated to Mother Ganga.

The priests perform the Aarti with large lamps (diyas) in their hands at this holy site. Watching the Aarti, it seems as if nature itself has illuminated the place. The reflection of the lamps in the water appears like twinkling stars. The sweet sound of the Maha Aarti echoes throughout the ghat.

Following the Haridwar model, Ganga Aartis later began in Rishikesh, Varanasi, Prayag, and Chitrakoot as well. Inspired by the Maha Ganga Aarti of Haridwar, in 1991, the Aarti of Mother Ganga was also started at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi.

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