Ancient sacred ritual on the River Ganges
The ancient city of Varanasi is one of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in the world. Every evening the elaborate sacred Ganga Aarti ceremony is performed on the ghats (steps leading to the river) as it has for centuries.
The river is honoured for its life-giving and purifying qualities with the ringing of bells, the sounding of conchs, and the chanting of mantras. As the sun sets, lamps are lit and set afloat in the river to carry messages to the gods.
https://medium.com/@srmprrailways2023/historical-significance-of-ganga-aarti-ceremony-44d8416adb91