Page 48 - Seniors Today - Jan25 Issues
P. 48
Evenings are lit up by the resplendent
Ganga Aarti which is performed at
Dashashwamedh Ghat. The Aarti, a ritual
to dispel darkness is more than 2000 years
old. The synchronised movements of priests,
the fragrance of incense and the reflection
of flickering lamps on the river created an
unforgettable spiritual spectacle for me as
also for thousands of other believers.
Besides doing the
normal activities in
Banaras, I had an
opportunity of joining
a musical Cruise on
the Ganga. Organised
by “Kinare Dariya”, it
was an extraordinary
experience – a perfect
blend of spirituality, heritage and the magic
of Indian Classical music. As the boat,
gently glides down the river, maestros
perform soul-stirring music, blending
classical ragas with the rhythm of the
flowing waters. The journey began on an
enchanting note with a rendering of the
Samaveda, the ancient Veda of melodies and
chants, from which the roots of Indian music
emerge. This was followed by a sublime
performance by Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar
of the Mewati Gharana, whose mellifluous
Ganga Aarti voice filled the night with divine energy.
The sounds of chanting and bells, combined with the glow of
diyas and incense, creates an energised and reverent atmosphere Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar
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