Oil lamps are lit and the huge flames of fire go up in the air and down in clock-wise movement as dhoti-kurta clad priests offer them to God amidst loud chants on the banks of the holy river Ganga. It is a spectacular view to witness hundreds of devotees and tourists gather on the flight of steps that border the river to offer their prayers and observe this ritual called the ‘Ganga aarti’ being performed every single day at sunrise and sunset.

The atmosphere at the Har-ki-pauri, which means ‘feet of the lord’, in Haridwar, is electrifying. Every evening, the bells in the temples at the ghat start ringing, priests take their position with their lamps along the river and chants of the mantras fill the air as the aarti is performed facing the Ganga river that flows in all its glory. People light small diyas (lamps) and set them afloat in the water, offer flowers and invoke the almighty. You can also arrange a personal puja yourself while you are there.

The Ganga aarti that is performed at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram is one of the better-known ones in Rishikesh. And what makes it a distinct experience is that, instead of priests, it is residents of the ashram who study the Vedas there who carry out the evening aartis. As dusk descends, devotional songs are sung, a hawan or a sacred ritual where offerings are made to the fire god is performed and then the aarti is carried out at the banks of the river Ganga. Do make sure you come early so that you get a seat close to all the action.