The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River worth booking?
The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River is a 2.3-hour experience in Varanasi, India, from $69 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- From
- $69 per person
The Ganga Aarti at Varanasi is an uplifting spiritual ritual. The Aarti ceremony takes place near the Ganges River. While facing the river, the Hindu priests use lamps which are circled around in a clockwise manner, acc
What you get
- Rickshaw ride
- Bottle mineral water
- Private Air-Conditioned Vehicle
- Professional English speaking Guide
About this experience
The Ganga Aarti at Varanasi is an uplifting spiritual ritual. The Aarti ceremony takes place near the Ganges River. While facing the river, the Hindu priests use lamps which are circled around in a clockwise manner, accompanied by chants or songs in praise of Mother Ganga. It is believed that after the ritual is complete, the Goddess showers her blessing onto each individual present there. NOTE: (Expect More People on Ground / Monuments / Public Places During the Tour). You will have Private tour Guide during the Sightseeing Tour. Highlights • Aarti Ritual At the Ganges River • Rickshaw Ride • Walk Through the Ghats • River glowing with floating lamps
What's included
Included
- Rickshaw ride
- Bottle mineral water
- Private Air-Conditioned Vehicle
- Professional English speaking Guide
Not included
- Gratuities (optional) Food and drinks, unless specified
What you'll see and do
Meet your driver at your hotel in Varanasi and drive to Dasawamedha Ghat (Ghat is a flight of steps leading down to the river). It is located close to the Vishwanath Temple and it is most spectacular. You will witness the traditional Aarti ceremony that is performed every evening at dusk. Hundreds of pilgrims, photographers, and tourists watch the magnificence of the Aarti ceremony as it unfolds. Lamps are lit, fragrant smoke rises from incense sticks, and the chants of mantras can be heard. Fire is offered to Lord Shiva and the Ganges River. As the Aarti comes to an end, the priests offer flowers, milk, and floating lamps to the Ganges. Pilgrims follow and soon the whole of the river is filled with lit lamps and aromatic flowers. The experience wonderfully highlights local culture and religion in an effort by the participants to find peace. At the end of the ceremony, your guide will take you back to your hotel in Varanasi.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- SITA World Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $69 to $218
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by SITA World Tours, who run 389 experiences we rank across 16 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 48.6.
See everything SITA World Tours runsWhy this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Varanasi.
How much does The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River cost?
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Prices start at $69 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Varanasi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River take?
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Plan for about 2.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Varanasi is not rushed.
Is The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Varanasi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Varanasi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Varanasi and add a light layer if any part of the 2.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Varanasi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Varanasi?
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On Outty we rank every Varanasi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hidden Secrets of Varanasi: Vibrant Tradition (Guided Tour), Varanasi full day guided tour | Ranked 1 Tour Operator on Viator, A Journey of A lifetime. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Varanasi?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Varanasi?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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