Ganga Aarti-worshipping the divine river

Thousands of illuminated lamps are immersed in the waters of the holy Ganges and the floating lamps add a divine look to the river at dusk. Someone who has not seen Ganga Aarti on the ghats of Benaras can only imagine. To the chant of Sanskrit mantras, and the clash of cymbals and drums, the river is worshipped. First the blazing camphor lamp and then the many- flamed aarti lamps are raised high and then arched back to the water, the dark river reflecting the golden flames as Ganga accepts the worship.