Evening boat ride · Ganga Aarti · Dashashwamedh Ghat
Ganga Aarti Boat Booking in Varanasi Watch the Evening Aarti From the River
Book a boat for the evening Ganga Aarti. Your boat takes you out on the river, facing the ghat, so you watch the lamps, the chanting and the crowd from the water.
- Evening ride at dusk
- Private boat for up to 10
- Bajra boat for 20 to 50
The essentials
Evening Boat Ride for the Ganga Aarti
The Ganga Aarti is Varanasi’s daily evening ritual, in which priests offer lamps and incense to the river to the sound of chanting, bells and conch shells. It is free to watch from the ghat steps, and it is also watched from boats, which stay on the river facing the ghat and give a wider view with more room than the crowded steps.
Evening rides usually run between 5:00 and 7:00 PM. The aarti follows the sun, so its start time moves through the year: see the Ganga Aarti timings by season for the approximate times, and tell us your date so that we plan the boat time around it. Arrive at the boarding point about 30 minutes before the boat time.
It is best to book in advance, so that you are not left without a boat on the evening you want. For Dev Diwali the aarti is scaled up and boats book out early; see the Ganga Aarti on Dev Diwali 2026.
| Ride | Evening boat ride with the Ganga Aarti |
|---|---|
| Aarti | Every evening at dusk; the time changes through the year |
| Usual boat time | Between 5:00 and 7:00 PM |
| Duration | About 2 hours by motor boat |
| Boats | Motor boat (private, up to 10), hand boat (up to 6), Bajra boat (20 to 50), cruise for large groups |
| Safety | Life jackets for every passenger |
| Booking | On WhatsApp or by phone |
A wider view
From the river you see the whole ghat, the priests standing in a row and the lamps, with more room than on the steps.
The aarti from the water
The evening ride includes the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, watched from the boat.
A boat for your group
A private motor boat for up to ten, a Bajra boat for 20 to 50, or a cruise for a large group.
Book in advance
It is best to book ahead to avoid the last-minute rush on the evening you want.
Families and older visitors
Boat rides suit families, children and senior citizens, and every passenger is given a life jacket.
Dev Diwali
On Dev Diwali the boats and the aarti are on a bigger scale. See the Dev Diwali guide.
Fares
Private Motor Boat Fare for the Evening Ride
The fare is for the whole boat, not per person, and covers the time shown. We confirm the final fare on WhatsApp or by phone before you book.
| Ride | Fare per boat | Time | Seats | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening boat ride with Ganga Aarti | ₹4,000 | About 2 hours | Up to 10 people | Book |
Good to Know About the Fare
- On Dev Diwali the boat fares are different, and boats book out early. See Dev Diwali boat booking.
Our boats
Choose Your Boat
From a rowing boat for six to a cruise for a large group. Open a boat to see who it suits.
Hand (rowing) boat
Up to 6 people. A slow, quiet ride close to the ghats.
See the boat →
Motor boat
Up to 10 (private boat) people. A private boat that covers the ghats in about two hours.
See the boat →
Bajra boat
20 to 50 people. Families, parties and larger groups.
See the boat →
Cruise
Large groups people. The biggest groups, through the year.
See the boat →Your evening on the river
How the Evening Goes
What to expect from the boarding point to the end of the aarti.
Before the ride
Arrive at the boarding point about 30 minutes before the boat time, so that the boat is ready when you are.
On the river
The boat stays on the water facing the ghat while the aarti takes place. At Dashashwamedh the priests perform it for about 45 minutes at dusk.
After the aarti
Motor boat rides usually end at Raj Ghat or Manikarnika Ghat. Tell us where you are staying and we plan the end of the ride.
Book your boat
How to Book
Tell us when and how many. The WhatsApp button opens with a message ready to send, and you add the details.
Message or Call Us
Send your date, the number of people and whether you want a sunrise or an evening ride. We reply with the boat and the fare.
Message Us on WhatsApp Call +91 63900 08503What to Tell Us
- The date you want to go
- A sunrise ride or an evening ride with the Ganga Aarti
- How many of you are going, including children and older family members
- Where you are staying, or the ghat you want to start from
- The boat you have in mind, or your group and we suggest one
Send your details
Use the form at the top of the page, or tap any WhatsApp button. It opens with a message already written.
Get the boat and fare
We suggest the right boat for your group and confirm the fare for your date.
Confirm and ride
Confirm on WhatsApp or by call. We share the meeting point and your boatman’s contact once the booking is final.
Cancellation and refund terms are shared when you book. See our Terms & Conditions.
Quick answers
Ganga Aarti Boat Booking in Varanasi: Frequently Asked Questions
Tap Book on WhatsApp or use the form at the top of this page, and send the date, the number of people and the boat you want. You can also call us. We reply with the boat and the fare, and the booking is final once you confirm.
Keep planning
More Boat Pages
Boat Ride in Varanasi
Boat rides on the Ganga in Varanasi: sunrise, evening Ganga Aarti, and boats from a rowing boat to a cruise.
View the page →Morning Boat Ride in Varanasi
A sunrise boat ride along the ghats, when the river is calm and the light is soft.
View the page →Varanasi Motor Boat Booking
A private motor boat for up to ten people, for a two-hour ride along the ghats.
View the page →Bajra Boat Ride in Varanasi
A large Bajra boat for groups of 20 to 50: families, parties and special occasions.
View the page →Tour Packages from Varanasi
Prefer a planned itinerary with the hotel, the boat ride and the sightseeing together?
See the packages →Ready to Book Your Boat in Varanasi?
Message us your date, group size and the ride you want. We reply with the boat and the fare, from a team based in the city.