Varanasi · Daily ritual · River Ganga
Ganga Aarti in Varanasi Timings, Best Ghats & How to Watch
The Ganga Aarti is Varanasi’s daily ritual of lamps, chants and conch shells offered to the river. This guide explains where it takes place, the timings by season, and the best ways to watch — from the steps, from a boat, or from a quieter ghat.
The basics
What Is the Ganga Aarti?
The Ganga Aarti is a ritual of worship in which priests offer lamps and incense to the river Ganga, to the sound of chanting, bells and conch shells. In Varanasi it is performed daily and draws hundreds of people each evening.
The best-known ceremony is at Dashashwamedh Ghat. There is also the sunrise programme at Assi Ghat, known as Subah-e-Banaras, with its own aarti in the morning and the evening, and the newer Namo Ghat is reported to be emerging as a quieter place to watch.
The aarti follows the sun, so its start time shifts with the seasons. It is free to watch from the ghat steps, and can also be watched from a boat on the river.
| What it is | Daily worship of the Ganga with lamps, chants and conch shells |
|---|---|
| Main venue | Dashashwamedh Ghat |
| Other venues | Assi Ghat (morning and evening) and Namo Ghat |
| Evening timing | Around dusk: about 5:45–6:00 PM in winter (Oct–Mar), 6:45–7:00 PM in summer (Apr–Sep) |
| Duration | About 45 minutes |
| Cost | Free from the ghat steps; boats are paid |
| Special aartis | Tuesdays and religious festivals at Dashashwamedh; Dev Diwali |
| Best time to arrive | At least 45 minutes before the start |
Choose a ghat
Where to Watch the Ganga Aarti
| Ghat | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Dashashwamedh Ghat | The main and most crowded aarti. Priests stand in a row on raised platforms for about 45 minutes at dusk, and there are special aartis on Tuesdays and festivals. |
| Assi Ghat | A smaller, calmer evening aarti, plus the free Subah-e-Banaras programme at sunrise. |
| Namo Ghat | Varanasi’s newest riverfront, opened in 2024, with open space and a viewing deck. It is reported as a quieter place to watch, but confirm the schedule locally. |
By season
Ganga Aarti Timings by Season
| Aarti | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Evening, Dashashwamedh — winter (Oct–Mar) | Around 5:45–6:00 PM |
| Evening, Dashashwamedh — summer (Apr–Sep) | Around 6:45–7:00 PM |
| Morning, Assi Ghat (Subah-e-Banaras) | Around sunrise, about 5:30 AM; varies with the season |
| Duration | About 45 minutes |
The aarti follows sunset, and published sources differ by about 15 minutes. Arrive early and confirm locally — high water in the monsoon can move ceremonies to higher ground.
Choose your view
Ways to Watch the Ganga Aarti
From the steps
Free and atmospheric. Arrive 45 minutes or more early for a seat, because standing room fills up quickly.
From a boat
Boats anchor on the river facing the ghat, giving a wider view and more space. See Ganga Aarti boat booking.
On Dev Diwali the aarti is scaled up and boats book out early — see Ganga Aarti on Dev Diwali 2026 and the Dev Diwali guide.
The ceremony
What Happens During the Aarti
Priests stand in a row facing the river. They wave incense, then large multi-tiered lamps and smaller lamps, in unison, while chants and bhajans play, with bells and conch shells sounding through the ceremony.
Many visitors also float small leaf-cup lamps (diyas) with flowers on the river as an offering. Vendors at the ghat sell them.
Local advice
Tips for Watching the Ganga Aarti
- Arrive at least 45 minutes early for a good place on the steps.
- Keep valuables secure. The crowd is dense.
- Dress warmly in winter. The river breeze is cold after dark.
- Agree boat prices first, or book through a trusted operator.
- Stay quiet and respectful. Do not step on or over lamps and offerings.
Plan a route
Places to Visit Near Ganga Aarti
Combine these in one outing — each has its own visitor guide.
Dashashwamedh Ghat
The main ghat and the biggest evening aarti.
Read the guide →
Assi Ghat
Subah-e-Banaras at sunrise and a calmer evening aarti.
Read the guide →
Namo Ghat
Varanasi’s newest riverfront, opened in 2024.
Read the guide →
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The Jyotirlinga temple, close to Dashashwamedh Ghat.
Read the guide →In pictures
Ganga Aarti: Photo Gallery
Crowds gathered for the evening Ganga Aarti seen from above
Priests performing the Ganga Aarti with multi-tiered lamps
A priest holding a lamp during the evening Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat
Priests performing the morning Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat
Musicians at the Subah-e-Banaras morning programme at Assi Ghat
Quick answers
Ganga Aarti: Frequently Asked Questions
The evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat starts at dusk: roughly 5:45–6:00 PM in winter (October to March) and 6:45–7:00 PM in summer (April to September). The morning programme at Assi Ghat begins around sunrise. Confirm the day’s time locally.
Timings, rules and fees at temples and ghats can change with the season and on festival days. Details on this page were last checked in September 2026 — please confirm on the day, especially for aarti and darshan times.
Plan your visit
Make the Most of Your Varanasi Trip
Ganga Boat Ride
See the ghats and the aarti from the river — book a boat ride with our local team.
Learn more →Stay Near the Ghats
A budget AC hotel in Shivala, close to Assi Ghat, run by the same team.
Learn more →Dev Diwali 2026 Guide
Visiting on Kartik Purnima? Dates, timings and how to watch the ghats light up.
Learn more →Varanasi Tour Packages
Let us plan temples, ghats and aarti into one easy itinerary.
Learn more →More Places to Visit in Varanasi
Temples, ghats and the Ganga Aarti — see the full guide to places to visit in Varanasi.
Planning a Trip to Varanasi?
Message us for real local advice on timings, routes and where to stay — from a team based in the city.