Kashi Vishwanath Darshan and Saptarishi Aarti

SAPTARISHI AARTI AT KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE, VARANASI Also, watch Mangala Aarti of Shri Kashi Vishwanatha The Saptarishi aarti is said to have been handed down by Lord Shiva himself to the seven sages to enable them to summon his protective powers over this universe. Mentioned as clans in Atharva Veda, these seven rishis or sages were Kratu, Pulaha, Pulastya, Atri, Angiras, Vashishtha and Bhrigu. The aarti is performed daily at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple from 7 to 8 pm by seven priests belonging to seven different gotras. The process of the aarti mainly involves a series of chants praising Lord Shiva with the offerings of milk, yoghurt, honey and sacred ash. Then the lingam is decked up with sandalwood paste and flowers. A silver naga is placed upon the lingam in the final stages of the aarti. The chanting is mostly indecipherable under the pretext that it is an ancient secret.