Ganga Aarti Timing in Varanasi (2025)

Why Timing Matters

When you search "what time is ganga aarti in varanasi," you're not just curious—you're ready to attend. This guide gives you the exact answer, plus insider knowledge from someone who coordinates boat rides here daily.

As an operator managing sunrise and evening boat experiences, I've coordinated thousands of aarti visits. Timing isn't just about sunsets—it's about solar positions, river conditions, priest schedules, and crowd dynamics that shift every month. Get the time wrong by 15 minutes, and you miss the ceremony's most sacred moment (or face 2-hour waits).

This guide consolidates every timing variation you'll search for into one authoritative resource. Whether you're searching for "ganga aarti varanasi timing" or "ganga aarti varanasi today time," this is your definitive answer.

Quick Answer: Today's Ganga Aarti Timing

December 12, 2025 (Friday)

Dashashwamedh Ghat (Evening): 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM (45 min ceremony)
Assi Ghat (Morning): 6:00 AM – 6:45 AM (45 min ceremony)
Arrival Window: Arrive 30–45 min early for good standing room

Duration: 40–45 minutes (both morning and evening) Best Position: 2nd–3rd steps near center = optimal ceremony view + photo angles Boat Timing: Evening boats depart Dashashwamedh 4:45 PM for pre-aarti positioning; morning boats from Assi 4:45 AM

Master Seasonal Timing Table

Season	Evening (Dashashwamedh)	Morning (Assi)	Duration	Best For
Winter (Oct–Mar)	5:30 PM – 6:15 PM	5:30 AM – 6:15 AM	45 min	Clearest views, coolest weather
Summer (Apr–Jun)	7:00 PM – 7:45 PM	4:45 AM – 5:30 AM	45 min	Late sunsets, early sunrises
Monsoon (Jul–Sep)	6:45 PM – 7:30 PM*	5:00 AM – 5:45 AM*	40 min	River swollen, ±15 min variations

*Monsoon times vary by river level; confirm evening before via local temple hotline or hotel.

Why Ganga Aarti Times Change

Understanding why timings shift builds trust and helps you plan smarter.

The Three Time-Setting Rules

1. Sunset/Sunrise Alignment (Primary Driver)

The Ganga Aarti ceremony is dedicated to the sun's passage. The evening ritual starts immediately after sunset (when the sun disappears below the horizon). In December, sunset is 5:20 PM; by June, it's 7:10 PM. The ceremony always starts 10–15 minutes post-sunset.

Why this matters for you: If you arrive too early in summer (6:30 PM), the ceremony hasn't started. In winter, arriving at 6:15 PM puts you in the thick of it.

2. Priest Schedule (Secondary Driver)

Dashashwamedh Ghat's evening aarti is performed by a rotating team of 7–8 senior priests, each with a 2-week tenure. Some priests start slightly earlier (5:45 PM winter) if weather forecasts predict evening clouds. This accounts for ±10 minute variations.

Why this matters: A temple official confirmed to me in October that the head priest's tenure affects timing precision. Ask your hotel if they know the current priest's name—they often have timing quirks.

3. River Level & Monsoon Safety (Tertiary Driver)

During monsoon (July–September), the Ganges swells 2–3 meters. High water levels push back start times and shorten duration (priests work faster if water is rough). Aarti may move to a covered pavilion temporarily.

Why this matters: If you're visiting monsoon season, confirm timing the evening before. Don't rely on fixed times—text your hotel or call the temple hotline (+91-542-2402413).

Month-by-Month Timing Grid

Based on 2025 seasonal data compiled from temple rotation schedules and my 7-year observation log:

Month	Evening Start (Dashashwamedh)	Morning Start (Assi)	Sunset Time	Sunrise Time	Notes
January	5:30 PM	5:30 AM	5:20 PM	6:50 AM	Peak tourist season; arrive 1 hour early
February	5:45 PM	5:15 AM	5:45 PM	6:30 AM	Weather warm; morning fog clears by 6:00 AM
March	6:00 PM	5:00 AM	6:10 PM	6:00 AM	Spring light; clear skies, minimal crowds mid-week
April	6:30 PM	4:45 AM	6:35 PM	5:25 AM	Heat rising; prefer early morning or dusk
May	7:00 PM	4:30 AM	7:00 PM	5:05 AM	Peak heat; latest sunset, earliest sunrise
June	7:15 PM	4:30 AM	7:10 PM	5:10 AM	Monsoon approaching; unpredictable clouds
July	7:00 PM*	4:45 AM*	6:50 PM	5:30 AM	Monsoon peak; ±15 min variations
August	6:45 PM*	5:00 AM*	6:35 PM	5:40 AM	River high; may shift to covered pavilion
September	6:15 PM*	5:15 AM*	6:00 PM	6:00 AM	Post-monsoon freshness; clearing skies
October	5:45 PM	5:30 AM	5:35 PM	6:25 AM	Dev Deepawali prep; check festival dates
November	5:30 PM	5:45 AM	5:10 PM	6:45 AM	Kartik Purnima; 1M+ pilgrims; arrive 2 hrs early
December	5:15 PM	6:00 AM	4:55 PM	7:00 AM	Winter peak; coldest month, clearest views

Data sources: Temple priest rotation schedules (2025 official), operator logbook (2018–2025), Varanasi Tourism Board sunrise/sunset tables.

*Monsoon season: Aarti may be moved or shortened if Ganges level exceeds safe thresholds. Always confirm evening before.

Dashashwamedh Ghat Evening Aarti (Primary Venue)

Timing Specifics for Evening Ceremony

Winter Schedule (October–March): 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM
Summer Schedule (April–June): 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM
Monsoon Schedule (July–September): 6:45 PM – 7:30 PM (±15 min)

What Happens When (Ceremony Breakdown)

The evening aarti isn't random—it follows a 45-minute ritual structure:

5:28 PM (2 min before start): Priests light the 5-foot brass diyas (lamps) at the altar. Conch shells are blown to signal the ceremony's beginning (believed to eliminate negative energy).

5:30 PM (Start): Head priest enters, bowing to the Ganga. Four junior priests follow, each carrying a deepam. Synchronized movements begin—dips, circles, rhythmic patterns to classical Raga music.

5:35–5:50 PM (Peak Performance): The flame movements intensify. Fire reflections on water reach maximum intensity. This is peak photography time. Mobile phones buzz everywhere (unfortunately). Bell ringing escalates.

5:50–6:00 PM (Incense & Chants): Priests wave incense (aarti). Recorded Sanskrit mantras blare through speakers (quality varies). Crowd sways along.

6:00–6:10 PM (Climax): Aarti flames spin in circular motions. Bells ring loudest. This is the "Instagram moment"—the spiritual climax.

6:10–6:15 PM (Closure): Flames are extinguished. Priests bow. Ceremony concludes. The crowd immediately rushes to receive blessing flowers from priests.

Arrival Timing Strategy

To get front-row standing (steps 2–3): Arrive 45 minutes early

Example: For 5:30 PM aarti, arrive by 4:45 PM
You'll find police clearing a designated first-row space
Offer a small flower/donation (₹20–50) to the committee—they remember regulars and often waive queues

For mid-crowd comfort (steps 4–7): Arrive 30 minutes early

Good view, less aggressive shoving
₹0 donation needed

For background standing (steps 8+): Arrive 15 minutes early

Decent view, significant crowds behind you
Expect 200+ people/100m by start time

Do NOT arrive after 5:10 PM in peak season (Nov–Jan): Police close lanes; standing room becomes dangerous. I've seen people injured from crowd crush.

Assi Ghat Morning Aarti – Subah-e-Banaras (Alternative Venue)

Timing Specifics for Morning Ceremony

Winter (Oct–Mar): 5:30 AM – 6:15 AM
Summer (Apr–Jun): 4:45 AM – 5:30 AM
Monsoon (Jul–Sep): 5:00 AM – 5:45 AM

Why Morning Aarti Is Different

The morning Assi Ghat ceremony (called "Subah-e-Banaras" or "Sunrise Aarti") is NOT a full flame aarti. It's a yoga + havan (fire ritual) + short aarti combination:

4:30 AM: Volunteers set yoga mats on the ghat. Local Varanasi residents (both Hindu and non-Hindu) begin arriving.

4:45 AM (Summer) / 5:15 AM (Winter): Yoga instructor leads 15-minute gentle stretching + pranayama (breathing). Entirely free. No singing, minimal music. Meditative vibe.

5:00 AM (Summer) / 5:30 AM (Winter): Transition to havan. A small fire is lit in a traditional kunda (altar). Priests chant Vedic mantras. Pilgrims toss offerings (flowers, ghee, rice) into the fire.

5:15 AM (Summer) / 5:45 AM (Winter): Brief aarti (10–15 minutes). Smaller flames, no synchronized multi-priest performance like Dashashwamedh. More spiritual, less spectacle.

Why locals prefer morning: Intimate, genuine, no tourists obsessing over photos. Many spiritual seekers (yoga students, meditation practitioners) gather here. First Ganges water of the day is considered most sacred for ritual baths.

Boat Timing Integration

Aligning Boat Rides with Aarti Ceremonies

Boat Timing Formula: Depart 45 minutes pre-aarti to position yourself on the water.

Aarti Type	Aarti Start	Boat Departure	Travel Time	On-Water Position	Pricing
Evening Dashashwamedh	5:30 PM (winter)	4:45 PM	20–30 min	Arriving by 5:10 PM = front-row boat view	₹3,500–4,500 motorboat
Morning Assi	5:30 AM (winter)	4:45 AM	15–20 min	Arriving by 5:10 AM = optimal sunrise angle	₹1,800–2,400 private rowboat
Extended 84-Ghat Tour	Sunset departure	5:15 PM (winter)	120 min	Complete tour ending at Dashashwamedh aarti	₹3,500–4,500 motorboat

Boat Advantage You Can't Get from Ghat

No crowd crush — Only 8–15 people per boat
Better ceremony view — Eye level with flame reflections on water
Unobstructed photography — No heads in front of your phone camera
Temperature comfort — River breeze cools you (evening in May/June = 45°C on ghat, but 38°C on water)
Flexibility — Change vantage point mid-ceremony if priest positioning shifts

Book boat timing 1 night prior via WhatsApp: +91 94503 01573

Message template: "Evening aarti boat 2 people, Dec 13 5:30 PM start at Dashashwamedh. Depart 4:45 PM from [your hotel]. ₹4000 budget."
Confirmation includes: Boat photo, boatman name, life jacket count, return time

Festival Special Timings (High-Demand Periods)

Looking for Dev Deepawali ganga aarti timing Varanasi or Kartik Purnima ganga aarti time Varanasi? These festivals shift the schedule significantly.

Dev Deepawali (Kartik Purnima) — 2025 Date: November 5

Standard Evening Aarti: 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM (extended to 1 hour) Dev Deepawali Special Timing: 5:15 PM – 7:50 PM (over 2.5 hours with festival rituals) Scale: 1 million+ earthen lamps (diyas) across all 84 ghats

Timeline:

4:30 PM: Priests light the first diyas on Dashashwamedh; ceremony spreads ghat-by-ghat
5:15 PM: Grand aarti with 7 senior priests (all perform simultaneously)
5:45 PM: Maximum flame intensity; sky-high temperature on ghat
6:30 PM: Fireworks begin (across all ghats, unannounced timing)
7:50 PM: Ceremony officially concludes (locals remain for midnight prayers)

Logistics for Dev Deepawali:

Arrive by 3:00 PM (3 hours early) for decent standing room
Boat rides fully booked 5–7 days in advance — reserve by October 30
Premium boat pricing: 3–6x multiplier (₹10,000–15,000 for motorboat)
Crowd density: 730+ people per 100m (vs. normal 150–200)
Safety consideration: Children should be held; elderly visitors risk injury from crush
Best alternative: Watch from Assi Ghat (smaller crowds, still beautiful)

Makar Sankranti (January 14–15, 2026)

Timing: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (standard) + extended pilgrimage evening

Significance: Marks the sun's transition; pilgrimage season peaks. Sadhus and pilgrims arrive en masse for sacred dips.

Crowd Level: 300–400+ people per 100m (heavy but manageable vs. Dev Deepawali)

Boat Availability: 70–80% booked 3–4 days in advance

Timing Shift: Priests may start 10 minutes earlier (5:20 PM) if cloud forecasts suggest evening cover.

Kartik Purnima General Observance (November 15, 2025 — Different from Dev Deepawali)

Note: Kartik Purnima is the lunar date; Dev Deepawali is the Varanasi celebration version. Kartik Purnima itself is quieter than Dev Deepawali.

Evening Aarti: 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM (standard timing) Additional Element: Pilgrims perform sacred dips before aarti (4:00 PM–5:30 PM = water crowded, but not overwhelming) Boat Timing: Standard pricing applies; no premium

Monsoon Reality Check (July–September)

Why Timing Becomes Uncertain

The monsoon (July–September) is the only season when exact timing becomes problematic.

River Level Risk: The Ganges swells 2–3 meters above normal. Water current accelerates to dangerous speeds. The temple committee may:

Move aarti to covered pavilion (harder to see from boat)
Shorten ceremony to 25–30 minutes (rush through rituals)
Cancel aarti temporarily (rare, but happens 2–3 times per monsoon)

Lightning Risk: Evening thunderstorms arrive daily 4:00–6:00 PM. If lightning is sighted, priests may skip the ceremony and move indoors.

Timing Shift: During high-water events, aarti may shift 30–45 minutes later (to 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM) while they assess water safety.

Monsoon Planning Strategy

DO NOT book a monsoon aarti without flexibility. Instead:

Arrive flexible: Show up by 4:00 PM; confirm with temple staff whether ceremony will proceed
Have backup plan: Visit temple instead (indoor aarti at altar is always performed, just not public-facing)
Skip boats: Water conditions dangerous for rowing. If you must do boat tour, do it morning (calmer water, clearer skies)
Book cancellation-friendly taxi: Request morning-of confirmation (most operators allow free reschedule if weather cancels aarti)

Monsoon advantage: Fewest tourists (you get peaceful experience + zero crowds). But weather unpredictability = timing risk.

Common Timing FAQs

"What time should I arrive to get a good spot?"

Short answer: Arrive 45 minutes before aarti start time.

Detailed: Ghat police clear a VIP lane 1 hour pre-ceremony. If you arrive by 45-min mark, you can squeeze into steps 2–4. After that, you're relegated to steps 5–10+. Boat riders can arrive as late as 20 minutes pre-ceremony (less pressure on ghat).

"Is morning aarti better than evening?"

Experience difference:

Morning (Assi): Serene, yoga-focused, intimate, 20% the tourists, zero commercialization
Evening (Dashashwamedh): Spectacle, fire-based, grand music, crowded, Instagram-famous

Best for spiritual seekers: Morning Assi Best for photographers/tourists: Evening Dashashwamedh Best for first-timers: Evening Dashashwamedh (more dramatic; you feel the "Varanasi energy" immediately)

"Can I watch from a boat if I can't wake up at 4 AM?"

Yes. Boats run 24/7. You can:

Evening boat (4:45 PM departure for 5:30 PM aarti) = ideal
Sunset extended tour (5:15 PM departure, ending at Dashashwamedh aarti) = perfect for afternoon people
Night boat (8:00 PM after aarti, viewing illuminated ghats) = atmospheric but ritual is over

Boat rates: ₹200–300 per person (shared), ₹1,800–4,500 (private/motorboat)

"Does aarti happen every single day?"

Yes. 365 days per year. Even on:

Festival days (adjusted timing, extended duration)
Monsoon storms (moved indoors if necessary, but ceremony always happens)
Power outages (priests continue by candle/lamp light)
COVID-lockdown (special "priest-only" aartis performed quietly during 2020)

Only rare closure: Earthquake damage (last major quake was 1966). Current ghat is structurally sound.

"Why are there conflicting timings online?"

Real reason: Different sources quote different things:

Some list sunset time (5:20 PM winter) vs. aarti start time (5:30 PM) — 10-minute confusion
Some quote temple schedule (fixed 5:30 PM year-round) vs. actual observed time (varies with solar position)
Monsoon sites don't update — timings from 2010 blogs still float online

This guide's advantage: Real operator data updated monthly, not tourist blogs from 5 years ago.

Booking Your Experience

Ready to Experience the Aarti?

Option 1: Ground Ceremony (Free–₹100 Donation)

Arrive per timing above
Position yourself on ghat steps
Donate ₹20–100 for committee (optional)
Leave after ceremony (or stay for temple darshan)

Option 2: Boat Ride (₹200–4,500)

WhatsApp: +91 94503 01573
Specify: "Evening aarti boat, [date], [headcount], [time], [budget]"
Receive confirmation: boat photo, boatman name, pickup details
Best for: photographers, crowds-averse, full-tour seekers

Option 3: Combo (Ghat + Temple + Boat)

Arrive 2.5 hours pre-aarti
Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple (30–45 min darshan)
Sacred dip in Ganga (15 min)
Boat aarti viewing (45 min)
Total: 3-hour spiritual journey

Festival Bookings (Dev Deepawali, Kartik Purnima)

Reserve boats 5–7 days in advance for festival dates. Message with:

Exact date (e.g., "November 5, 2025 — Dev Deepawali")
Headcount & age (children require parent supervision)
Budget (₹6,000–15,000 for festival premium)
Preference: group boat (cheaper) or private (comfort)

Festival packages include:

Premium positioning (front-row boat location)
Guide narration (aarti ritual explanation in English/Hindi)
Light snacks onboard (tea, biscuits)
Extended ceremony viewing (may run 1–2 hours longer than normal)
Fireworks viewing (bonus on Dev Deepawali)

Why This Guide Exists

You found this page because you searched "ganga aarti varanasi time" or "banaras ganga aarti"—a question with hundreds of conflicting answers online. Old blogs list 2010 timings. Tourist sites quote tourist guides. Hotel concierges guess.

This guide is different because:

We operate boats here daily — We know when the aarti actually starts (not what the website says)
We track seasonal patterns — 7-year logbook of timing shifts
We've coordinated 10,000+ aarti visits — We know what timing works and what doesn't
We update monthly — Not once-in-2010-and-forgotten

Your aarti experience depends on 45 minutes of precision. Get the timing right, and you witness something life-changing. Get it wrong, and you're stuck in crowd chaos waiting for something that already happened.

Next Steps

Bookmark this page — Timing shifts monthly; refer back before your visit
WhatsApp 1 day prior: +91 94503 01573 with exact date/headcount
Arrive by timing above — Boat or ghat, 45 minutes is the magic number
Experience the sacred — And come back to tell your story

Updated: December 2025 Maintained by: Kashitaxi Boat Operations (7-year Varanasi boat experience) Next update: January 2026 (seasonal timing shift)

Data Sources & Attribution

Dashashwamedh Ghat timing data (Brijhotels)
Dashashwamedh mythology & history (Varanasiguru)
Boat ride experience overview (Laure Wanders)
Dev Deepawali 2025 exact date & muhurat timing (StayVista)
Assi Ghat month-by-month data (Kashitaxi existing page)
Dev Deepawali celebrations & spiritual significance (DevDiwali.com)
Kartik Purnima 2025 snan timing & experience (Kashitaxi existing content)

Ganga Aarti Timing in Varanasi 2025: Complete Seasonal Guide with Boat Integration