Historic first-ever Ganga Aarti held on River Thames in UK

Indian community performs the first ever “Ganga Aarti” on “Thames river” of the UK. Thousands gathered on the banks of the River Thames on Sunday for the first-ever Ganga Aarti, a ceremony of light and thanksgiving, in London. ‘Ganga Aarti on the Thames: A Ceremony of Light’ was organised by Chinmaya Mission UK in collaboration with the annual ‘Totally Thames’ festival, as part of the global celebrations marking 75 years of the charity. Recreating ethos of the world-famous aarti by the River Ganges in India, the event in London was conceived as a symbol of the life-giving flow of nature, knowledge and consciousness.
The aarti, a traditional Hindu ceremony of gratitude involving large multi-tiered oil lamps, prayer, music and chanting, is an expression of reverence for the river and wider gratitude for Mother Nature. The aarti by the Thames took place entirely on land, with nothing from the ceremony placed, poured or released into the Thames. Accompanied by music and chanting against the backdrop of the historic Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, the event brought together senior spiritual leaders and representatives from Hindu organisations and communities across the UK.

VIDEO | London: Ganga Aarti held on the Thames river for the first time.

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“For generations, communities have gathered on the banks of Ganga to offer light in gratitude for the river, for nature and for all that sustains life,” said Brahmacharini Shripriya Chaitanya, Resident Teacher of Chinmaya Mission UK. “Ganga Aarti on the Thames carries that same spirit, bringing people together in a shared moment of gratitude, hope and unity,” she said. High Commissioner P. Kumaran joined members of the Indian community and devotees for a special Ganga Aarti on the Thames, organised by Chinmaya Mission UK.
Chinmaya Mission is a global movement, founded in 1951, dedicated to inner transformation and spiritual awakening, rooted in the timeless wisdom of Vedanta and inspired by the vision of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. Today, the Mission has more than 350 locations worldwide, supporting communities through spiritual education, cultural programmes, academic institutions and service initiatives. In the UK, Chinmaya Mission UK offers programmes for every stage of life: from children and teenagers to young adults, families and senior citizens.