My First Ganga Aarti Experience at Parmarth Niketan
In May 2021, I stepped into Rishikesh not just as a traveller but as a soul in search of healing. The devastating second wave of COVID-19 had just passed through our lives like a storm, leaving behind loss, exhaustion, and grief. I was physically fragile, mentally broken, and emotionally numb. The steroids I was prescribed had weakened my body, and job uncertainties added more weight to my shoulders.
I needed space to breathe, to feel again, to reconnect with the part of myself that had been silenced by fear and chaos. That space, for me, was Rishikesh.
The Silent Side of Rishikesh
Rishikesh in May 2021 was not the bustling, vibrant place most people knew. It was almost deserted. The lockdown had emptied its streets, stilled its ashrams, and quieted the banks of the Ganga. There were no tourists, no spiritual seekers, no camera flashes — just the river, the wind, and me.
Each evening, I found myself drawn to Janki Setu, sitting in silence on the Marine Drive side of the river. From across the water, I could see Parmarth Niketan — its serene architecture, the gentle movement of saffron-clad sadhus, and towering over it all, the majestic statue of Lord Shiva, seated in meditation, radiating calm.
For days, I watched the Ganga Aarti from afar — small, glowing flames dancing in devotion, the hum of sacred chants floating across the river. I told myself, “Someday, I’ll go there.”
The Walk Toward Parmarth
That “someday” came on an ordinary summer evening, around 6 PM. The sun was still bright but softening, and I felt an urge — a quiet push from within — to cross the bridge and walk toward Parmarth Niketan. I wanted to experience the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan not just as a ritual, but as a personal pilgrimage.
The walk was slow. My body still carried weakness, but something about the air, the silence, and the energy around me gave me strength. The roads were nearly empty, and the only sound was the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds.
As I approached Parmarth’s entrance, I felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation. It was my first time attending the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan, and I didn’t know what to expect — yet I knew something within me would shift.
The First Glimpse of Lord Shiva
The moment I stepped inside, my eyes were instantly drawn to the massive Shiva statue. He sat there, calm, powerful, divine — as if watching over every seeker who came in search of something intangible.
I could not look away.
His presence was magnetic, grounding, and strangely familiar. In that moment, I wasn’t just in an ashram. I was standing in the lap of something sacred, something bigger than myself.
I stood in stillness, simply gazing at Shiva. I wasn’t praying. I wasn’t thinking.
I was just… being. And that was enough.
The Aarti Begins at Parmarth Niketan
Around 6:30 PM, the preparations for the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan began. Devotees started gathering, though still very few due to the COVID restrictions. Everyone sat in neat rows on the steps facing the Ganga, socially distanced, respectful, and silent.
The sound of the conch shell echoed in the air, followed by the soothing voice of Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji. She began with a pravachan — a spiritual discourse that spoke not of religion, but of resilience, inner strength, and the healing power of surrender.
As I sat on those steps, I listened with my heart more than my ears. She spoke about how the Ganga is not just a river but a living, breathing source of divine energy — washing away not just dirt, but pain, confusion, and separation.
Her words felt as if they were meant just for me.
The Flames of Healing at Parmarth Niketan
And then came the most awaited moment — the Aarti.
Priests and devotees held brass lamps, flames dancing in their circular motions, as chants of “Om Jai Gange Mata” filled the air. The atmosphere was electric yet peaceful, powerful yet calming. I closed my eyes and let the energy wash over me.
Tears rolled down my cheeks — not of sadness, but of release.
I had carried so much in silence — fear of death, the trauma of illness, the loss of stability — and in those sacred moments, I let it all go. The flames, the river, the chants — they held me.
I wasn’t alone anymore. I wasn’t broken. I was healing.
Until the Last Bell Rang
The Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan continued until around 7:30 PM. As the sun dipped behind the hills and the sky turned dusky pink, the Ganga shimmered with floating diyas — tiny lamps carrying silent prayers downstream.
I stayed until the last bell rang.
The crowd slowly dispersed, and the ashram grew quieter again. I stood up, looked once more at Lord Shiva, and smiled. He hadn’t moved, yet I felt something had shifted — within me.
I began the walk back to my side of the river, lighter, clearer, and no longer numb.
Why This Memory Stays With Me
That evening was not just my first Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan — it was the beginning of a new life. It was the night I stopped merely surviving and began truly living again.
Every time I visit Rishikesh now, I return to Parmarth Niketan. And every time, I find something new in the same flames — strength, surrender, connection, peace.
For anyone who finds themselves at a crossroad — emotionally, physically, or spiritually — I can only say this: experience the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan. Don’t just watch it. Feel it. Be in it. Let it hold you the way it held me.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan
Whether you’re a spiritual seeker, a curious traveler, or someone looking for solace — the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan is not just an event; it’s a vibration, a healing ritual, a memory etched into your soul.
It’s performed every evening at sunset, with soulful bhajans, prayers, and rituals led by revered saints and children of the Parmarth Gurukul. The location, the energy, and the divine setting by the Ganga make it unlike any other Aarti in India.
Life after COVID changed us all in ways we never imagined. For me, the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan became the turning point — the moment I found strength in surrender, peace in chaos, and clarity in devotion.
And that’s what Rishikesh Vibes is truly about — not just guiding you to places, but helping you feel the sacred pulse of Rishikesh that goes beyond tourism.
So if you ever find yourself in Rishikesh, take that walk across Janki Setu, follow the sound of bells and chants, and allow the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan to guide you home — to yourself.