As dusk falls over Prayagraj, the riverbanks come alive with the sound of bells and conch shells. The Evening Aarti is performed at multiple locations, most notably at the Nehru Ghat and Saraswati Ghat. Unlike the chaotic grandeur of Varanasi, the Aarti here is often more organized and serene.
Priests dressed in traditional dhoti-kurta wield large, multi-tiered brass lamps (Deepams) filled with camphor and oil. They rotate these lamps in synchronized movements to the rhythmic chanting of hymns praising Mother Ganga and Yamuna. The fire of the lamps reflects beautifully on the dark water.
Devotees gather on the steps and on boats to watch. It is customary to float small leaf-bowls containing flowers and a candle (diya) into the river after the ceremony, creating a trail of light moving downstream.
The view of the illuminated Naini Bridge in the background adds a modern contrast to this ancient ritual.
It is a moment of collective gratitude to the rivers that sustain the civilization.
The sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati. The distinct colors of the rivers are visible where they meet mid-stream.
A massive fort built by Emperor Akbar in 1583 on the banks of the confluence. It houses the immortal 'Akshaya Vat' tree and the Patalpuri Temple.
The historic ancestral home of the Nehru-Gandhi family. A pilgrimage site for those interested in India's freedom struggle.
