INDIA CROSSING THE RIVER GANGES One of the other major boat cruise specialties at Varanasi is the grand Ganga Aarti ceremony at the Dasaswamedh Ghat of Varanasi; which is quite close to the venerated Kashi Vishwanath Temple - a prime attraction at Varanasi. Performed at 7 pm every evening; just after sunset; the Aarti ceremony at River Ganges casts a magical spell on all viewers as thousands of young men donning saffron robes and ceremonial attires swinging huge lamp holders; each holding a number of lit lamps at once; in choreographed rhythmic movements and everybody present join their chanting to offer homage to the river deity. The flowers and lit lamps floating in the river present a pretty picture; especially when you are cruising along side them too.