The Ganga Arti my " Je ne sais quoi"

When ever the travel bug in me starts biting,the first and foremost place that comes to my mind is 'Rishikesh ',the land of seers, the gateway to Himalayas,the  Yoga capital of world or simply the paradise for adventure junkies ..Infact it s a gigantic buffet of spirituality, adventure,devotion, holistic health..But none of these is my lure..The enthusiasm and enthrall is all about attending the Ganga Maha arti at Triveni Ghat.The most mesmerizing and captivating spectacle which chips away my woes n worries..Which slackens the frayed nerves and uplifts the broken spirits.

I have been here many times but this time the trip was with my college bestie Dr Parikh who was equally excited about her first visit to the sacrosanct place.But everytime the experience is more enriching and the quietude more coveted.

So amidst the blinding blazing sun,heavy footfall because of chardham yatra,we ruddered past the iconic Ram jhoola,newly built Janki jhoola,treading the congested streets with staggering pedestrian traffic, shoving away people,scurrying and scampering in  the lanes and alleys dotted by tempting shops abutting each other like cells of a beehive and delectable eateries,the pious ashrams,ghats, ancient temples.Every nook n cranny resonating with verve and vigorous vibes..The sweltering heat though makes us stop for a chug of icy soda lime and a swig of jal zeera to quench  our parched throat s..and we saunter ahead to reach well in time and occupy a vantage seat as well.The arti starts at dusk around seven in summers.

 

Triveni ghat is believed to be the holiest one in  Rishikesh,the confluence point for three waters of Ganga,Yamuna and Saraswati..and legend says Lord Krishna was cremated here when hit  by an arrow by Jara the hunter.

The very first glimpse of the neat and clean ghat is captivating..The gushing emerald waters of the gigantic Ganges Lofty Garhwal range of Himalayas nestling the holy place, Lapis blue skies with a few scudding clouds above,the setting sun splashing the skies with a hue of crimson..The whole landscape is bewitching and breathtaking. The mere sight rejuvinates and the whacked bleary bodies morphed into a fiesty , ebullient ones.Nothing matches the divinity, magnificence, quietude and solitude of this place,i believe.The pristine and serene environment is something to be savoured life long.

One is entranced by the magical spectacle of the Ganga arti..

Sixteen priests clad in maroon kurta , white dhoti an angvastra slung around.Their visage looks lithe, sinewy and swarthy, standing on the steel tables facing the ganges.All of them first performing dhoop arti and fragrant billows of incense wafting the air,the simultaneous chanting of hymns and conches reverberating fill and charge the air with awe inspiring magnetism. Then they hold huge brass candlebra s emitting  tall glowing flames in one hand and tinkling metal bells clanging in other.The synchronisation of their moments while performing arti is gobsmackng,leaves one awestruck. They hold aloft the huge lamps and rotate them in all directions adroitly.  The reflection of the holy flames in the placid water is a sight to behold.Chanting of mysticVedic hymns, thumping drums,ringing of bells compels all the spectators to tap their feet and croon along. The multitude of fragrances strewn around,the waft of camphor,punch of marigold, mysterious dreamy fragrances of fresh roses,divine aroma of sandalwood incense sticks,ghee sodden wicks,in fact each fragrance  jostling for dominance.The fillip one gets there is unparallel ,the buzzing vibes are indeed soul shaking.

As the Arti culminates,one is simply shaken out of a reverie ,people immerse the leaf diyas laden with flowers in the holy water,the bobbing diyas giving myriad quivering reflections in water which is a sight to marvel at with hallowed chants of 'jai Gange ma' in the backdrop.The spectacle is so captivating and riveting that it is pinned to walls of memory to be savoured life long. The Ganges seem to whisper in your ears 'Hang in !! things are going to be better'. The forlorn,whacked bodies are morphed into vital and reinvigorated ones.

One may be an atheist,an agnostic,a firm believer or simply an agathist like me,yet Rishikesh has bountiful to offer for all. Every one is smitten by the sight,sound and smell of the place,and an unalloyed bliss is experienced by all and sundry. It brings a sparkle and twinkle to bleary eyes,music to the humdrum ears and ever searching food for the soul.The spiritual vibration,divinity and purity that runs through in the lap of Himalayas is unparallel, some indescribable,unseen forces in the land of seers of greatest wisdom and learning,a sul stirring and soul shaking spiritual treat...it is my " Je. Nais sais quoi"... something too appealing to describe ...