As the sun sets down, the conch shells blow, the drums beat, the cymbals clang, the bells ring, the singers clear their throats and the priests get set in various choreographic postures to perform a spectacular ceremony. Yes, the situation is perfectly set for the most spectacular ceremony performed every evening - Ganga Aarti in Haridwar, Rishikesh and Varanasi. Rivers in India are considered as the country's lifeline. The Ganga Aarti is performed as a reverence to Mother Ganges who is considered as India's lifeline. The Ganga aarti is performed on a daily basis by well trained young priests dressed uniformly on a dais beginning with incense sticks, Dhoopa and then proceeding to variety of huge lamps. The movement of the lamps is perfectly synchronized amongst all the priests to the rhythmic chants of mantras and a arti songs glorifying Mother Ganga. Post arati, a bunch of split flowers are offered to Ganga Maa to add to the reverence. The final ...