Ganga Aarti - bells in India.

Last night we went for an evening cruise along the Ganges - or Ganga.  It was indeed peaceful, and had its own beauty.  India is like that - beautiful, but don't look too closely. Come to think of it, that is true of most things, just the juxapositions are different.

 Manikarnika Ghat, the largest cremation ghat, at night.

Then we were taken to the Ganga Aarti.  It is an evening ceremony, daily, at Dashashwamedh Ghat.  It is, as I understand it, a celebration of Lord Shiva and of life.  Every part of it is symbolic.  Some pics below.  It can be also be seen on You Tube here.
They also use bells - the set of two rung by strings as well as handbells.

These are some pics of the audience.  This ceremony was not just for tourists.  Many in the large audience were Hindu pilgrims to Varanasi who were able to join in the well-known (to them) ritual.

 Bells & Smells meets Happy-Clappies!