Ganga aarti 

This was shot last evening while Ganga aarti on the bank of the Ganges in Varanasi (Benaras).
The aarti is a ritual of worshipping the Ganga where the audience is singing Bhajans.
It starts everyday after the sunset, young priests are chanting and holding the lamps in a kind of choreography in ordr to thank the Ganga (and therefore Shiva ) for what happened duringthe day.

The aarti ceremony provides a spectacular visual sight, a sublime spiritual experience and a purgative journey for the pious.
At the time of twilight, considered in Indian philosophy as the most auspicious moment of the day, thousands of earthern 'diyas' (lamps) are set afloat on the Ganges; an act of reverence to the legendary river.
With the scent of sandalwood incense and the melodious chants of the holy priests, the Ganga Aarti is undoubtedly the most soul-stirring act of reverence and prayer - an invocation to the essential elements.

For once there is no PP work on this image.