Witness the magic of Ganga Aarti
Har Ki Pauri is one of the few sacred places in India where you can witness the magic of the Ganga Aarti. If you are a morning person you can experience the Mangala Aarti (the morning Aarti) but if you are not you can attend the Shringar Aarti (the evening Aarti).
Whichever one you attend, the Ganga Aarti is a sight to behold. Pilgrims and devotees, their faces aglow with reverence, gather along, eager to witness a mesmerising spectacle. As twilight descends upon the hallowed grounds, the sound of conch shells reverberates through the air, heralding the commencement of the divine ceremony. Priestly chants, ancient and melodic, rise like incense into the heavens, carrying with them the prayers and aspirations of countless souls. And then, as if by magic, the darkness is pierced by the flickering flames of a thousand oil lamps, each one a beacon of hope and devotion. The riverbanks come alive with the rhythmic movements of the priests, their hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as they promise obeisance to the sacred river.
And so, bathed in the warm glow of the lamps and the gentle caress of the evening breeze, the spectacle of Ganga Aarti unfolds whose magic will linger in your heart long after the flames have been extinguished and the night has given way to dawn.
The origins of the ghat
Even the construction of the riverfront at Har ki Pauri can be traced back to ancient times. Legend has it that the ghat was erected by King Vikramaditya as a tribute to his beloved brother, Bharthari, a devout devotee of Lord Shiva who used to meditate at this very spot. Following his passing, his mortal remains were consigned to the sacred waters of the river. In honour of his brother's profound devotion, King Vikramaditya commissioned the construction of a ghat, which stands as a testament to Bharthari's spiritual legacy.