Ganga Aarti at one of the famous Ghats of Varanasi, India. The Indian River Ganga or Ganges, which originates in the Himalayas, is personified and worshipped as a goddess by the Hindus. There are many stories about the origination of river Ganga in Indian mythology. Devotees gather on her banks daily in various holy cities of India like Varanasi, Haridwar and Allahabad as she (Maa Ganga) flows by energetically. Such special occasions are always accompanied by the singing of the Maa Ganga aarti or hymn.