Ganga Aarti Haridwar

Ganga Aarti is a religious prayer that takes place at the bank of the sacred river Ganga at the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar. It is the place where Ganga leaves the mountain and enters into plains. Har ki Pauri is popular Ghat due to Kumbh Mela which is held every after 12 years and the Ardh Mela which is held every 6 years when millions of devotee and tourist across the world visits. Ganga Aarti held in Brahamakunda the place where Lord Shiv and Lord Vishnu visited and located in Hari Ki Pauri every evening and morning is the key attraction.

Hari ki Pauri, Ghat was constructed on the banks of the Ganga by king Vikramaditya to commemorate his brother Brithari’s penance to get divine blessings. According to Indian mythology it is believed that at this spot the Amrit (nectar) felled on earth by Garuda after the Samudra Manthan. It is also believed that lord Vishnu had visited the Brahamakunda as a step of footprint is been observed in the stone wall and people believed it’s the lord Vishnu footprint.

Every day number of people take a holy dip in the one of the seven most sacred river Ganges as it is believed that Ganga Snaan helps to washes away all sins . The Ganga aarti in Haridwar which is held twice-once in the morning and once in the evening. The time of the Aarti depends upon the sunrise and the sunset of that particular day. Usually the Aarti is held between 5:30am to 6:30am in the morning and in the evening 6pm to 7pm. The priest holds large fire bowls in their hands, the gongs in the temples at the Ghat are rung and chants fill the air. People float Diya’s, with burning flickers and flowers in them as symbol of hopes and wishes. Due to the high rush during Aarti, it is advisable to reach bit early before time so you can enjoy the spiritual environment and feel the positive aura of surrounding area.

History of Ganga Aarti at Haridwar
The exact period when the tradition of the Ganga Aarti was started has not yet been ascertained. However, the ritual of the Ganga Aarti at the Har Ki Pauri was started by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in the 1910s.
According to Hindu traditions and culture, the river Ganga is not a mere river; instead, it is the Divine Mother who gifts life in the form of water. When the fury of sage Kapil reduced the ancestors of Saint Bhagirath to mere ashes, the latter prayed and meditated for a very long time and was ultimately blessed with Ganga by the gods. Lord Shiva had held Ganga to reduce the steady flow of water, and the flowing water then provided liberation or moksha to the ancestors. This same water of the holy river is also believed to remove sins from the devotees who take a dip in the sacred water. The Ganga Aarti is thus a way to thank the River Ganga for all that she offers.

Best Time to Experience Ganga Aarti in Haridwar
The best time to visit the Ganga Aarti entirely depends on your personal preference. If you like to be a part of a large crowd that is bustling with activity, visit the river in May or June; and to explore a quieter side, visit the river in July and August. Evening aartis are much more vibrant than the morning ones since the lights from the candles and diyas can be thoroughly enjoyed, and hence are more recommended.

How To Reach Ganga Aarti in Haridwar
Har Ki Pauri is located on the main highway, in the centre of the city. It can be reached either by bus or train. It is about 3 km away from the Haridwar Railway Station. You can hire an auto rickshaw from ay part of the city.