In a first, Ganga aarti held on London's Thames river | Watch
The aarti, a traditional Hindu ceremony of gratitude, is an expression of reverence for the river and wider gratitude for Mother Nature.
A historic Ganga Aarti ceremony took place on the River Thames in London on Sunday, September 13, 2026, marking the first time such a spiritual event had been held in the United Kingdom. Thousands of people, including members of the Indian diaspora, devotees, and visitors, gathered along the riverbank to participate in the "Ganga Aarti on the Thames: A Ceremony of Light."
Organized by Chinmaya Mission UK and the Totally Thames festival, the event celebrated Indian spiritual traditions through traditional prayers, devotional chants, and the lighting of lamps.
The ceremony's symbolic significance was heightened by its location on the banks of the River Thames, creating a symbolic link between the sacred Ganga River in India and the Thames River in the UK. Held in front of the historic Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, the event aimed to recreate the spiritual atmosphere of the traditional ceremony while sharing its symbolism with a wider audience in the UK.
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