Aarti at Ganga, a photo from Uttar Pradesh, North

Photographer's Note

It has been surprising to me to see that aarti ceremony is performed also in Nepal. It reminds me of the one I saw in Varanasi. So, to compare them, I have looked at my archive. And why not to show it also to you. As one can see, they are very similar.

It was one of the most magical events during my India journey. Every evening at sunset, this ceremony takes place at the Dasaswamedh Ghat. It is awesome. There are 5 platforms set along the bank of the Ganges, and on each platform, a priest is doing the puja. After the ceremony hundreds of little candles are floating to the sea- (these candles are placed upon the little baskets, made from banana-leaves & flowers). They are sent into the river in remembrance of departed loved ones, as a gift to Mother Ganga. it is an incredible view. We also sent some marigolds in tiny baskets.

It is like a spectacle in the theater, with music and all carefully directed. People can observed it from the chairs placed behind the ceremony places but also from the boats on the river. Most of the visitors are Indians but the tourists are welcomed.
hops. The views from the different points of view will be in Workshops.

holmertz, pierrefonds, jhm, jean113, dale54, sacimar, PaulVDV, Royaldevon, ikeharel, PiotrF has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (92836) 2020-08-08 1:04

Hello Malgo,
It shouldn't be a surprise that the same Hindu traditions exist in India and Nepal. Possibly this ceremony is also performed on Bali. It is obviously exciting to watch (I never saw it) because of the effects of the lights and sounds. Nice photos and well exposed under difficult conditions.
Have a nice weekend,
Gert

pajaran (102584) 2020-08-08 1:06

Greeting.
A beautiful moment from the ceremony, well shown with beautiful colors, contrast and good text.
Good work with nice photos in the workshop, well captured moments.
I wish you a nice day, all the best for the weekend.
Paja.

Silvio1953 (205657) 2020-08-08 1:36

Ciao cara Malgo, fascinating nocturne shoot, excellent exposure, splendid light and wonderful colors very well done, my friend, have a good weekend, ciao Silvio

kasianowak (15818) 2020-08-08 3:35

Czesc Malgosiu
Trzy piekne zdjecia zrobione w trudnym, a jednoczesnie bardzo nastrojowym swietle.
Ceremonia bardzo bliska mojemu sercu, nie tylko dlatego, ze, podgladajac z daleka jak jakies zakazane widowisko, widzialam ja w Nepalu (co nie jest takie znowu dziwne, zwazywszy ze 80% mieszkancow Nepalu to Hinduisci), ale tez, kilka miesiecy temu rowniez w Varanasi. Patrzac na twoje zdjecie i majac to jeszcze swiezo w pamieci, czuje sie, jakbym tam byla.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie
Kasia

pierrefonds (103499) 2020-08-08 4:47

Hi Malgo,

You have captured well the action of the misicians and of the priests. The point of view is showing the details of the costume of the priests. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (202939) 2020-08-08 6:29

Hello Malgo,

This must be lovely to attend this
Sharpness and colours are superb.
Excellent composition
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

abmdsudi (88509) 2020-08-08 8:02

Hi Malgorzata
Well captured night shot, amazing keeping the mood of the place and event with somber expressions of the spectators. Love the richness as well and great colours. Wonderful photography
Best regards

jean113 (22021) 2020-08-08 10:17

Hello Malgo, three excellent shots taken from different points of view and that give us a very good impression of the ceremony.
The dark conditions are very well managed.
Interesting to see all the spectators around the site.
Your notes are very clear and informative.
Kind regards, Jean.

dale54 (17456) 2020-08-08 10:46

good evening and hello malgo..nice and pin sharp for this night shot here,great job and nice over all outcome too! tfs dale

sacimar (38171) 2020-08-08 12:32

Hello Malgo,

interesting images of this ceremony, it looks that it was a magical experience. It is a good night shot, the fire catches my attention, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

Tue (82204) 2020-08-08 13:04

Hello Malgo,
A great impression of this ceremony. This night photo is very sharp and clear with the warm colours of the people's clothes and the three flames standing out very nicely from the darkness and the boats in the background.
Lars

PaulVDV (54825) 2020-08-08 14:19

Hello Malgo,
In Nepal professes the majority of the population (81.3%) Hinduism (number according to Wikipedia). In that sense it is therefore not really surprising.
Although I had already been to India four times, I had never seen an Aarti ceremony.
I suppose it must be very special in Varanasi on the bank of the Ganges. Your description seems particularly exciting.
Wonderful pictures. On the ones in the WS I even see five priests.
Best regards, Paul

jemaflor (135380) 2020-08-08 23:34

Hi Malgo,
interesting ceremony, well presented with a photo well managed, good light capture, good angle to take the view, tfs, a good testimony, tfs.

ifege (32169) 2020-08-08 23:54

Hi Malgo
A very good night time photo of the ceremony. A good one from your archives.
cheers
Ian

Royaldevon (75344) 2020-08-09 1:52

Hello Malgo,

This ceremony is definitely very similar to that shown by Paul.

You have really created a sense of the occasion and the mood. I can imagine what it was like experiencing this magical ceremony, with so many others. on the banks of the river.
The light from the flames and rhythmical music must have been amazing!

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

Miguel82 (47106) 2020-08-09 2:30

Hello, i ve seen this amazing performance, tha aarti in 2006. It took place in Dasawamedh ghat too but i was on a boat. The religious persons are singing bhajans in the fg. Excellent light management. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.

GyurMaster (21335) 2020-08-09 2:37

Dear Malgo,

Excellently captured nocturne. I like how you preserved details and sharpness despite the hard lighting conditions.

Best Wishes,
Gy

jmdias (102852) 2020-08-09 3:10

malgo

amazing views of this ceremony. I didn't have time to visit this city of India, a pity, because it is one of the main attractions of it.

take care

jorge

ikeharel (105885) 2020-08-11 3:02

A ceramony with fire-totches superbly collected at night-time session, malgo.
Crowd and local orchestra gave extra interest to the whole. Two added WS's are no-less wonderfully collected.
My best regards,
ike

PiotrF (52330) 2020-08-11 11:07

Czesc Malgo
Ciekawa seria zdjec z tej ceremonii.
Dobre kadry i z jakoscia zdjec poradzilas sobie mimo trudnych warunkow
Kolejna ciekawa prezentacja
pozdrawiam
Piotr