Every evening without exception, seven Brahmin priests gather at Dashashwamedh Ghat, lift brass lamps into the darkening sky, and perform one of the most breathtaking rituals on earth. If you are planning to witness the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, knowing the exact timing is everything – arrive fifteen minutes late and you have missed the ceremony’s most sacred opening movements.
This guide gives you the confirmed 2026 timings for every month, every ghat, and every viewing option – from the best spot on the ghat to a front-row seat on the river.
Ganga Aarti Timing at Dashashwamedh Ghat – 2026
The Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat begins at sunset. Because sunset shifts across the year, the timing changes seasonally:
| Season | Months | Aarti Start Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | April – September | 6:45 PM | 45 minutes |
| Winter | October – March | 5:45 PM | 45 minutes |
Month-by-month breakdown:
| Month | Aarti Start |
|---|---|
| January | 5:45 PM |
| February | 5:45 PM |
| March | 5:45 PM |
| April | 6:45 PM |
| May | 6:45 PM |
| June | 6:45 PM |
| July | 6:45 PM |
| August | 6:45 PM |
| September | 6:45 PM |
| October | 5:45 PM |
| November | 5:45 PM |
| December | 5:45 PM |
The ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes and concludes with the release of flower diyas on the river. Arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes early – the ghat fills quickly from 5:00 PM onwards in winter and 6:00 PM in summer.
Ganga Aarti Timing at Assi Ghat
Assi Ghat holds its own Ganga Aarti every morning and evening. The evening aarti here is smaller and more intimate than Dashashwamedh — a completely different experience, and often preferred by travellers who want to avoid the crowds.
| Season | Months | Aarti Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | April – September | 7:00 PM |
| Winter | October – February | 6:00 PM |
The morning aarti at Assi Ghat takes place daily at 5:30 AM – this is the Subah-e-Banaras experience, and it is arguably more moving than the evening ceremony.
Where to Watch: Viewing Options Compared
1. Standing on the ghat steps – Free
The most common option. You stand among thousands of pilgrims and tourists on the tiered stone steps of Dashashwamedh Ghat. The energy is extraordinary. The downsides: you need to arrive 45 minutes early to get a good position, the crowd is dense, and photography is difficult from ground level.
Best for: First-time visitors who want to be in the thick of the atmosphere.
2. Private boat on the river – From ₹3,499
Watching the Ganga Aarti from a private boat on the Ganges gives you an unobstructed panoramic view of all seven priests simultaneously. The river reflects the fire. The sound carries across the water. And you are never in a crowd.
With Varanasi Guru, your boat departs at 5:00 PM from your nearest ghat — giving you time to cruise past all 84 ghats before anchoring in front of Dashashwamedh Ghat for the ceremony.
Book the 84-Ghat Aarti Boat Ride — from ₹3,499
Best for: Photographers, families, couples, and anyone seeking a more intimate ceremony without the crowd.
3. Ganga Poojan with VIP seats – ₹2,100 per couple
This is the most immersive way to experience the Ganga Aarti from the ghat itself. Varanasi Guru handles the entire Ganga Poojan registration on your behalf – the registration window opens at exactly 4:00 PM and closes within five minutes, making it nearly impossible for visitors to secure without local knowledge.
What you get: a dedicated priest performs your Ganga Poojan, you receive an official Ganga Seva Nidhi receipt, and your Varanasi Guru attendant personally escorts you to reserved VIP seats for the aarti – no queues, no confusion, no paperwork. You simply arrive at Dashashwamedh Ghat at your designated time and everything is handled.
The experience includes the Ganga Poojan with a dedicated priest, floating of diyas, and VIP seats for up to 10 guests for the full 1.5-hour ceremony.
Book Ganga Aarti and Poojan – ₹2,100 per couple
Best for: Those who want to actively participate in the poojan ritual, not just watch, and want guaranteed VIP seats without the stress of arriving very early.
What Is the Ganga Aarti? A Brief History
The Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is performed by Ganga Seva Nidhi, a trust established in 1991 to revive the ancient tradition of daily worship of the Ganges river. Before 1991, the ceremony was sporadic. Today it draws thousands of devotees and visitors every single evening.
The word aarti comes from Sanskrit, meaning the removal of darkness. Seven priests perform the ritual in perfect synchrony – each holding a multi-tiered brass lamp (called a panch diya), moving it in circular patterns to the sound of conch shells, bells, and Sanskrit chants. The ceremony has seven stages, each offering to a different element: earth, water, fire, air, space, flora, and fauna.
Dashashwamedh Ghat itself holds deep significance. The name means “the ghat of ten horse sacrifices” — according to legend, Lord Brahma performed the Ashwamedha Yajna here to welcome Lord Shiva back to Kashi. This is one of the holiest sites on the entire Ganges.
Practical Tips for Attending the Ganga Aarti
Arrive early. In winter the ghat is packed by 5:15 PM. In summer by 6:15 PM. If you want a front-row spot on the steps, add an extra 15 minutes.
There is no ticket. The Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is completely free to attend. Anyone who approaches you selling “aarti tickets” or “special viewing passes” is a tout – ignore them.
Photography. From the ghat, use a zoom lens – you will be some distance from the priests. From a boat, you get a wide unobstructed view perfect for wide-angle shots. The ceremony is photogenic at all stages but particularly in the first 10 minutes when the fire is freshest and the sky still has colour.
What to wear. Modest clothing is appreciated – shoulders and knees covered. The ghat is a place of genuine worship, not a performance.
After the aarti. As the ceremony ends, hundreds of small flower diyas are released onto the river. If you are on a boat, your boatman can hand you a diya to release yourself – a genuinely moving experience.
Can You Watch the Ganga Aarti from a Boat? Yes – Here Is How
Watching the Ganga Aarti from the river is the single best vantage point available. You see all seven priests at once, the fire reflects in the water, and you are completely free of the crowd.
Varanasi Guru’s 84-Ghat Boat Ride departs at 5:00 PM and cruises past every ghat on the western bank before anchoring directly in front of Dashashwamedh Ghat for the ceremony. The boat carries life jackets, a private boatman, and fits up to 5 people. No sharing with strangers.
Price: ₹3,499 for up to 5 people
Departure: 5:00 PM from your nearest ghat
Booking: varanasiguru.com or WhatsApp +91-8595256696
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Ganga Aarti in Varanasi today? In summer (April to September), the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat begins at 6:45 PM. In winter (October to March), it begins at 5:45 PM. The ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Is there a Ganga Aarti in the morning? Yes. Assi Ghat holds a morning aarti at 5:30 AM daily as part of the Subah-e-Banaras experience. Dashashwamedh Ghat also has a morning aarti, though it is smaller than the evening ceremony.
Does the Ganga Aarti happen every day? Yes, without exception — 365 days a year, including festivals, monsoon, and public holidays.
How long does the Ganga Aarti last? Approximately 45 minutes from start to finish.
Do I need to book in advance to attend the Ganga Aarti? Attending from the ghat steps is free and requires no booking. If you want to watch from a private boat on the river, book in advance — especially on weekends and during peak season (October to February and around major festivals).
What is the best month to see the Ganga Aarti? October to February offers the most comfortable weather and the most atmospheric experience — cool evenings, mist over the river, and shorter days mean the ceremony begins just before dark arrives. The Dev Diwali festival in November (Kartik Purnima) is when the ceremony is most spectacular, with all 84 ghats lit with diyas.
Varanasi Guru has been guiding travellers through Varanasi since 2018. Our guides are local historians and storytellers – not generic tour operators. Book a heritage walk, boat ride, or experience and see Kashi the way it deserves to be seen.
