Divinity of The Holy Ganga

 Divinity of the Holy Ganga 

- Dr Tripti Milind Galgali. 

Hubli.

Reaching Varanasi when Holy River Ganga had flooded and entered into the city .

The Ghats had submerged.So experiencing the Boat ride across the Flowing Ganges and visiting the different Ghats.....participating in the Mesmerizing Evening Ganga Aarti was missing.

For 2 days,we waited for the river water to recede. 

At last ,the night  of the 2nd day of Varanasi ,our Tour Leaders from Veena World informed us that we could see the early morning Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat.But they did caution us that the Ghat is going to be slushy,Stenchy, and slippery.The whole path is going to be dirty,and difficult. 

Only 5 of us in a group of 21 initially agreed.

Finally we totalled to 10.

We woke up at 3.30am.Reached Assi Ghat at 4.30am.

Already the Ghat was crowded even at such early morning hours.

The Ghat was indeed full of flooded waters,waste,Slush, Stench, Filth ......everything due to the enormous Flooding of the Holy Ganga River.

We managed to tread into the Slush and found place on the Ghat to sit.

The Stench was unbearable.

Exactly at 5.15 am the Aart began.

Young girls dressed in White Salwar Kameez and Orange dupatta started reciting the Sanskrit Mantra for Ganga Aarti with Gayatri Mantra.

The Audio visual system was lacking due to flooding.

Power cut brought darkness till sunrise at 5.30am.

The Ambience initially sombre due to darkness and Dirt.....

Turned Divine with the Hymns, Chants,Brightness brought by the Aarti.....

We got so mesmerized by the Divinity of the Ganga Aarti that all of us raised our hands in unison shouting....

" Har har Gange....

Har Har Mahadev"

" Om Shanti 

Om Shanti...

Om....

We all went into a trance....

Simply oblivious of the Filthy surrounding and completely forgot the Stench.

Divinity of the Holy Ganges brought absolute peace and tranquility. 

An experience can't be expressed through words nor can be ever forgotten.