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Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amarpreet Singh was seen completely immersed in the spiritual colors of Kashi during his visit to Varanasi. On Sunday evening, along with his wife and a group of senior military officers of the Indian Air Force, he reached the holy banks of the mother Ganga and participated in the world famous grand Ganga Aarti. Amidst the ancient religious heritage and cultural splendor of Kashi, when the Ganga Aarti started with the recitation of Vedic hymns and blowing of conch shell, the Air Force Chief was seen worshiping Goddess Bhagirathi with folded hands and full reverence and devotion. Thousands of devotees and tourists present at the ghat were overwhelmed to see the top commander of the country’s security system carrying a puja plate in his hand like a normal devotee on this auspicious occasion and engrossed in the worship of Mother Ganga. Dashashwamedh Ghat Varanasi Click to open side panel for more information Before the main Aarti, the Air Force Chief and his wife bathed the holy Ganga water and under the direction of Vedic Brahmins, performed the Shodashopachar worship and consecration of Mother Ganga with complete classical rituals. During this time, the entire banks of Ganga echoed with Swastivachan, Shanti Path and hymns of Goddess Ganga recited by learned priests. After the puja, the Air Chief Marshal was warmly welcomed and felicitated by the officials of Ganga Seva Nidhi, an organization that regularly organizes the grand aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. On behalf of the organization, she was honored by presenting traditional Banarasi silk bodysuit, prasad and memento as memento. The Air Force Chief thanked the organizers for this hospitality.
After witnessing the supernatural Maha Aarti of Mother Ganga, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh put his sacred experience into words. While recording his experience in the official visitor book of Ganga Seva Nidhi, he wrote that coming to this divine bank of Mother Ganga and witnessing this supernatural and wonderful moment is an unforgettable experience of life. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the organizers, Brahmins and all the workers of Seva Nidhi for carrying forward this sacred tradition continuously and in such a disciplined manner. He said that this holy land of Kashi and the banks of Mother Ganga radiates mental peace and immense positive energy, which gives spiritual inspiration to every citizen and soldier dedicated to the service of the nation to move forward with new determination.
During this religious ritual which lasted for about an hour at Dashashwamedh Ghat, very strict and elaborate security arrangements were made. Along with senior Air Force officers, top officers of Commissionerate Varanasi Police, Water Police and local administration remained alert in the security cordon. Thousands of devotees from India and abroad, present from the stairs of the ghat to the boats parked in the river, also greeted the presence of the Air Force Chief with deafening shouts of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Har-Har Mahadev.
On Sunday morning, before the evening Ganga Aarti, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh directly experienced the world famous cultural morning of Kashi. They reached the cultural center located at the southern end of Varanasi with the first rays of dawn.
By participating in the historic ‘Subah-e-Banaras’ program organized every day at Assi Ghat Varanasi, he thoroughly enjoyed the rich tradition of Indian classical music and the flow of tunes. When eminent artists gave a combined musical performance amid the cool breeze coming from the waves of Ganga, all the music lovers present including the Air Force Chief were mesmerized.
In this morning cultural gathering, the top music practitioners of Kashi enthralled the audience with their music. The beats of Pandit Kishore Mishra on the tabla, the melodious strings of Budhaditya Pradhan on the sitar, the classical notes of Anish Mishra on the sarangi and the mesmerizing ragas of Neesh Gyawali on the flute together wove the fabric of a divine music. This combination of artists infused spiritual consciousness into the morning atmosphere. The efficient and dignified stage management of this prestigious musical gathering was done by the famous announcer Dr. Pritesh Acharya. At the conclusion of the program, the Air Force Chief lauded the art of all the music practitioners and said that the morning music of Kashi is a living symbol of the soul of India and its immortal cultural heritage.