Chinese envoy witnesses Ganga aarti in Varanasi, highlights India-China connect

China's Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, shared a video of the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi after attending the ritual.

In Short

• The ambassador shared visuals showing dense crowds gathered along the riverbanks
• Fire, flowers and chants formed the ceremony's striking atmosphere at dusk
• He said the moment evoked civilisational links stretching across the Himalayas

A post by Xu Feihong, China’s Ambassador to India, has caught attention online after he shared his experience of witnessing the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, offering a glimpse into one of India’s most iconic spiritual traditions.

Taking to social media, Xu posted visuals from the evening ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat, where the Ganga Aarti is performed daily on the banks of the Ganga River. The video shows priests conducting the ritual with synchronised movements, holding large lamps as chants and devotional music fill the air.

The ceremony, known for its scale and precision, draws hundreds of devotees and tourists every evening.

Describing the moment, Xu wrote, “Witnessing the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi. Thousands gathered — fire, flowers, chanting, the sacred river.” He added that standing there made him reflect on the shared civilisational depth of India and China.

“I feel what connects us across the Himalayas: two of the world's oldest civilizations, still alive and still burning bright,” he said.

See the post here:

His remarks stood out not just for their appreciation of the ritual, but also for the broader cultural connection they drew between the two countries. In recent years, such personal observations by diplomats have often sparked conversations online, especially when they touch upon heritage and identity.

The Ganga Aarti itself remains one of Varanasi’s most recognisable rituals. Performed every evening, it combines devotion, rhythm and spectacle, creating an experience that is both deeply spiritual and visually striking. For many visitors, it is a moment that captures the essence of the city.

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