What Time Is Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh During Winter?

Ganga Aarti is an evening ritual ceremony carried out on the bank of the Ganges River with the aim of thanking & worshipping the holy river Ganga as a symbol of life, purity & divine blessings. Priests perform a ceremony by holding large oil lamps & chanting Vedic mantras & bhajans while devotees watch or participate with flower offerings & floating diyas in the river.
This sacred ritual is the highlight of spiritual life in Rishikesh. It attracts a crowd every evening & is counted among the most iconic experiences in the Shivalik range.

Rishikesh's Ganga Aarti schedule changes slightly in accordance with the different seasons. However, it is mainly aligned with the sunset timing.
Here’s a quick seasonal comparison

In winters, this Aarti is started almost immediately after sunset, i.e., at 5:30 PM & goes for about 45 to 60 minutes.

There are a few prominent places to experience the Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh. Each offers a slightly different experience

Triveni Ghat is the most famous & highly attended place for the Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh. Every evening, the Ganga Aarti performed here is energetic & powerful. Priests are seen performing a synchronised ritual while lamps light up against the river flow. The echoes of chants & bells with the diyas reflecting in water bring out a deeply spiritual atmosphere making the whole experience perfect for first-time tourists.

Parmarth Niketan Ashram provides a calmer & more orderly experience. Here, the aarti feels highly meditative, with bhajans most often included along with spiritual prayers. Set against the backdrop of the Himalayas, this place turns out to be perfect for those who seek inner peace & a strong spiritual connection.

For those looking for a calmer & less crowded environment, Ram Jhula & the ghats around it are a beautiful setting to experience the aarti from a distance. It is smaller in scale but feels personal especially when the sun goes down & the river & sky turn into warm colours.
While each of these locations offers a unique way to experience the Ganga Aarti, they all share the same sense of devotion, beauty & spirituality that Rishikesh is known for.

To make the most out of the winter Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh, make sure to keep these tips in mind

• Plan to reach the ghats at least 20-30 minutes before the beginning of Aarti.
• Rishikesh winters are cold along the river so make sure to carry a light jacket or a shawl.
• Offer to contribute to the prayer ceremony by maintaining silence & respectfully lighting a diya or offering flowers.

The atmosphere during the winter Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh is something many describe as magical

• Bell ringing, chanting & drums create a rhythmic devotional vibe.
• Thousands of tiny floating diyas reflect in the river, creating a captivating scene.
• People of all ages gather in silence or together in prayer, forming a communal feeling of unity.

This spiritual experience is often one of the highlights of trip itineraries for visitors from all over India as well as from abroad.