Ganga aarti in Canada leaves attendees emotional, but internet has "genuine" questions

Time of India

6 days ago

A recent Ganga Aarti ceremony held on the banks of the Credit River in Mississauga, Canada, has gone viral, and not just for its spiritual charm. Organised by Team Radio Dhishum, the event brought together members of the Indian community in traditional attire to perform one of Hinduism's most sacred rituals, usually seen on the banks of the River Ganga in cities like Varanasi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh.
The ceremony featured Vedic chants, lighting of diyas (lamps), and ritual offerings, with visuals showing scores of devotees immersed in prayer and devotion. The Consulate General of India in Toronto also attended, with Consul Sanjeev Saklani representing the mission. Sharing images from the evening on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the consulate described it as a "soulful evening of divine chants and pious mantras."
Ganga Aarti in Canada: Internet Remains Divided
While many praised the ceremony as a beautiful display of Indian culture abroad, others questioned whether it was right to perform Ganga Aarti on a river other than the Ganga. One user commented, 'Credit is not Ganga. What exactly are they worshipping?' Another wrote, 'There is a reason it's called Ganga Aarti. Doing it anywhere else changes its meaning.'
However, several people came to the organisers' defence. Supporters called it a symbolic gesture, saying the ritual was more about intention and faith than geography. 'Faith is about intention, not coordinates,' a user responded, applauding the diaspora for staying connected to their roots.
Indian Diaspora Celebrates Cultural Pride in Canada
Many attendees said the ceremony was an emotional experience. An Indian-origin resident Priyanka Gupta shared a video on Instagram, calling it 'the most magical evening in my 10 years of living in Canada.' Her caption read, 'Not on the ghats of Varanasi or Haridwar, but right here in Canada.'
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The visuals, with chants of 'Har Har Gange' echoing across the Canadian park, moved many online. For Indians living abroad, events like these are not only spiritual, they are a powerful reminder of home.
Organisers Say Event Was Held With Cultural Respect
The event was conducted with respectful rituals and environmental caution, with no reports of ecological damage or law violations.
The goal, supporters say, was to offer diaspora communities a space to express their faith, especially for younger generations growing up away from India.
This isn't the first time an Indian cultural ritual has stirred online debate. A few weeks earlier, Indian tourists made headlines for performing Garba inside Dubai's Burj Khalifa, which also attracted mixed responses.
Inputs from agencies