Ganga Aarti held on the River Thames for the first time (PTI)
It was part of global celebrations marking 75 years of the organisation. Thousands gathered along the river on Sunday, September 13, to witness the ceremony, according to PTI. Bringing the ritual to the Thames therefore gave the ceremony another layer: an Indian tradition being used to invite reflection on humanity’s relationship with rivers and the natural world.
The ceremony, titled “Ganga Aarti on the Thames: A Ceremony of Light,” was organised by Chinmaya Mission UK in collaboration with the annual Totally Thames festival. For the first time, the traditional Hindu river ceremony was performed on the banks of the Thames. The event, held at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, brought an Indian spiritual tradition to one of London’s most recognisable waterways. Organisers described it as a ceremony of light, gratitude and unity, connecting the symbolism of the Ganga with the Thames. The event featured traditional prayers, chanting, music and large multi-tiered oil lamps used during aarti. Ganga Aarti is traditionally performed on the banks of the Ganga, particularly in cities such as Varanasi and Haridwar. During the ritual, lamps are raised as offerings while prayers, music and chanting accompany the ceremony. At its heart is an expression of reverence towards the river. For the Indian diaspora, the event carries a more personal meaning. Ganga Aarti is deeply associated with the physical presence of the Ganga. Yet traditions often travel when communities move. In London, the ritual became a way of bringing a familiar cultural and spiritual memory to a different river and a different generation. The Thames did not become the Ganga. Rather, the ceremony brought the values traditionally expressed beside the Ganga, gratitude, reverence for nature, community and spiritual connection, to a new setting. That may be what made the sight on the Thames so striking: for one evening, a ritual strongly associated with India’s sacred river traditions became part of London’s riverside landscape. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day. Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
Thousands of people gathered beside London’s River Thames on Sunday as the familiar glow of multi-tiered oil lamps, prayers and chanting associated with Ganga Aarti appeared against the backdrop of the British capital.