What is Ganga Aarti?
When devotees offer to Maa Ganga it is known as Ganga aarti. It is performed in three major holy cities that are Haridwar Ganga, Rishikesh, and Varanasi. It acts as a ritual where Small Diya, candles, and flowers are offered to the goddess Ganga that floats over the river and this ritual has been to twice a day from devotees to holy Ganga.
Importance of Ganga Aarti Haridwar
Aarti is one of the most important and powerful ritual in Hindu religion as it shows gratitude and humanity to the divine power and to the god and goddesses. Fire, flowers, incense sticks, music, and hymns chanted in praise of the Almighty are all part of this ritual.
History of Ganga Aarti
In the year 1910 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Ganga Aarti was started. Pandit ji has also been awarded as Bharat Ratan by an Indian government and also one of the islands in front of Ganga ghat has been named after him. The origin of Ganga Aarti and its history are not particularly known.
Ganga Aarti Timings
As mentioned above, Haridwar Aarti timing is from 5a.m in summer and 7a.m in winters and held twice a day once in the morning and the other one in the evening time. To get a morning Aarti, one should reach 45 minutes prior and for evening Aarti, individual should reach before 75 mins as heavy traffic is indicated around Aarti time.As name suggests, morning Aarti has been done at the time of sunrise and evening Aarti has been done at the sunset time although evening Aarti is more famous among individuals. Each month of the year has a different Ganga Aarti time, which is stated below:
| Months | Morning Timing | Evening timing |
| January | 07:10 am | 17:30 pm |
| February | 06:45 am | 17:50 pm |
| March | 06:10 am | 18:10 pm |
| April | 05:35 am | 18:30 pm |
| May | 05:15 am | 18:50 pm |
| June | 05:20 am | 19:10 pm |
| July | 05:25 am | 19:05 pm |
| August | 05:35 am | 18:40 pm |
| September | 05:55 am | 18:10 pm |
| October | 06:10 am | 17:30 pm |
| November | 06:25 am | 17:15 pm |
| December | 06:50 am | 17:20 pm |
Ganga Aarti Location
Every day, there are two Ganga Aarti: one in the morning and one in the evening. To get a morning Aarti, one should reach 45 minutes prior and for evening aarti, individual should reach before 75 mins as heavy traffic is indicated around Aarti time everyday irrespective of its climate situations, either be it storm, rain, cold, etc. In the three holy towns of Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi, this sacred rite is performed. An individual must attend this event at least once in their lives.
For the Ganga Aarti, an average of 24000 or more people travel to Haridwar. The distance between the Haridwar bus stop and the train station is roughly 2-3 kilometres.
Festivals such as Kumbh Mela, Ardh Kumbh Mela, and Kanwar yatra, this place get packed or crowded by devotees from different location even globally. This location is especially alluring to tourists since it is where the Nectar or drop of Amrit dropped on the ground.
What occurs before the Ganga Aarti ceremony and during the ceremony itself
Following the completion of the offerings, they begin singing the Sanskrit song, Ganga Lahari, which was composed by Pandit Jagannath, a scholar of Sanskrit who was born in 1590. By raising both hands, worshippers make commitments to refrain from contaminating the Ganges when the song is over. "Har Har Gange, Jai ma Gange" is the chant used to invoke the goddess Ganga. Following a brief intermission during which a donation appeal is made—donations are not required—the main Aarti begins with the lighting of the lights. The Aarti starts when the song has finished playing on the loudspeaker. Then, with music and bells, four to five priests perform the Ganga Aarti. The Aarti is ultimately finished after 5 minutes, and each devotee receives the Aarti and Prashad.
The best time to experience Ganga Aarti
Best time to visit Haridwar or watch Ganga Aarti is during the festivals like Kumbh Mela. Another festival is Shivratri or Maha Shivratri which comes twice a year. One more festival is Ardha Mela. During this time of year devotees come in a good numbers and also special food stalls and special arrangements are made by the Haridwar authority.