German envoy attends Ganga Aarti in Kashi

VARANASI: German ambassador to India Walter J Lindner is spending Dussehra in Kashi this year. He walked through the lanes and attended Ganga Arti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Later, he conveyed his impression of the awe-inspiring city in a series of tweets.

On October 13, Linder Tweeted, “Yes, this year spending Dussehra not in Delhi, but in holiest of the 7 sacred cities in Hinduism, oldest city on earth, magnificent centre of pilgrimage, mysticism, poetry - and salvation through death in the city: Varanasi. Evening arrival. Every time experience unlike any other.” After arriving in Varanasi, he tweeted, “…and of course you’ve just met 74-year- old sadhu Baba Ram, born in Patna, Bihar, now living in Varanasi for many years…”

On Thursday, Linder tweeted,” Varanasi (Benares, Kashi) regarded by Hindus as the holiest spot on the holiest of rivers. 90 ghats line the riverfront, where the living come to be purified by Ganges waters and the dead are brought to attain ‘moksha’ (release from the endless cycle of death & rebirth).” “A walk through the alleys and hidden corners of Varanasi... the world of colours, mystic and ancient secrets... …characters in abundance and in every alley all sorts of sadhus, gurus and pilgrims…,” Linder tweeted.

“Again at daily Aarti, the celebration-ritual of offering light to the Goddess Ganges, most sacred place for this Puja (ritual) are the steps (ghats) of Dashashwamedh in Varanasi. Here they are... breathtaking atmosphere!,” tweeted Linder on Thursday evening.

THE CELEBRATIONRITUAL OF OFFERING LIGHT TO THE GODDESS GANGES, MOST SACRED PLACE FOR THIS PUJA, HE SAID