The evening sky slowly darkens as hundreds of oil lamps begin glowing across the Ganga Ghat. Their golden light reflects beautifully on the calm river water.
The crowd grows larger and larger. Pilgrims, villagers, nobles, and travelers gather on the stone steps, filling every corner of the ghat.
The royal priests are already seated on their ceremonial platforms. Before them lie sacred items — conch shells, incense burners, large brass lamps, and vessels filled with holy water.
Musicians sit beside them with drums, cymbals, and flutes, waiting for the moment the ceremony begins. Temple dancers stand nearby, dressed in bright garments, ready to perform.
People look around the ghat in amazement.
"Look at these decorations…"
"This is the most beautiful arrangement I have ever seen."
"The pathways are perfectly organized."
"I heard Devi Tara personally supervised everything."
Many in the crowd nod with approval.
Suddenly, royal drums echo across the ghat.
BOOM… BOOM… BOOM…
The sound of conch horns follows.
"The Emperor is arriving!"
The crowd quickly parts to make way for the royal convoy.
At the front march rows of elite female royal guards, dressed in polished armor and carrying long spears. Their movements are perfectly synchronized.
Behind them walk royal attendants and servants, holding ceremonial banners and golden lamps.
Next come the ministers and nobles, walking proudly in their formal attire.
Finally, Emperor Chandraveer arrives, surrounded by the royal family.
People bow their heads respectfully.
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Victory to Maharaj Chandraveer!"
The Emperor calmly walks toward the royal seating area prepared at the front of the ghat.
He sits down, with his family and ministers beside him.
From his seat he observes the entire ghat — the decorations, the priests, the musicians, and the massive crowd.
For a moment, he seems impressed.
He slightly turns toward his servant.
Chandraveer: Nayan… where is Tara?
Nayan bows.
Nayan: I am not sure, Prabhu. I will go look for her.
Nayan turns to leave.
But suddenly—
A quiet murmur spreads through the crowd.
People near the entrance begin whispering.
"Who is that…?"
"Wait… is that…?"
Even several ministers turn their heads.
Chandraveer slowly lifts his gaze toward the entrance of the ghat.
And then—
Tara appears.
She walks slowly down the decorated pathway.
The golden light of hundreds of oil lamps shines on her as she approaches.
She is wearing a rich traditional saree, its silk fabric reflecting the warm glow of the lamps. A delicate pallu drapes over her head, gently moving with the evening breeze.
Her hair is beautifully arranged beneath it.
A maang-tikka rests on her forehead, shining softly.
Around her neck rests an elegant temple-style necklace, along with matching earrings and bangles.
Delicate white ceremonial designs decorate the side of her face and hands, glowing under the lamp light.
In her hands she gently carries a small diya lamp, its flame illuminating her calm and graceful expression.
For a moment…
The entire ghat seems to fall silent.
Even the musicians stop talking.
Several women in the crowd whisper.
"She looks like a goddess…"
The ministers stare in surprise.
Even Nayan stops walking.
Chandraveer watches her approach.
His eyes widen slightly.
He had expected Tara to come.
But he had not expected her to look like this.
For a brief moment, the Emperor forgets everything around him.
The golden light of the lamps flickers across Tara's face as she walks toward the royal seating area.
And the entire crowd continues watching her in silent admiration.
Tara slowly walks through the parted crowd and approaches the royal seating area.
She respectfully bows her head.
A royal guard gently signals where she should sit.
Her seat is placed behind the Emperor, slightly toward his left side — close enough to assist him, yet still respectfully behind the throne seat.
Tara quietly sits there, folding her hands in her lap.
The warm glow of hundreds of oil lamps dances across her jewelry and silk attire.
But the moment she sits…
Soft whispers begin spreading among the ministers.
Minister 1: Why is she seated there?
Minister 2: That position is far too close to the Emperor.
Minister 3: She is only a minister of cultural events… why give her such proximity?
Minister 4: This court grows stranger every day.
Several nobles glance back at Tara with suspicious eyes.
Tara pretends not to notice and keeps her gaze respectfully lowered.
Meanwhile…
Chandraveer glances slightly over his shoulder.
For a moment he simply looks at her.
A small smile appears on his face.
Soft music begins playing from the musicians.
Drums beat slowly.
Flutes begin their gentle melody.
But the crowd is still whispering.
Chandraveer leans slightly toward Tara and speaks quietly.
Chandraveer: You are looking immensely beautiful tonight.
Tara freezes for a second.
Her ears turn slightly red.
Tara: T-Thank you, Maharaj.
She lowers her head slightly, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Just then—
A loud conch shell echoes across the ghat.
BWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
The whispers immediately stop.
Everyone turns toward the priests.
The Ganga Aarti begins.
Step 1 — Blowing the Conch (Shankh)
One of the senior priests lifts a large sacred conch shell.
He takes a deep breath and blows into it.
BWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
The deep, resonating sound spreads across the river.
The priest chants loudly.
Priest: The sound of the Shankh purifies the surroundings and invites the divine presence of Mother Ganga.
Priest: Its vibration is believed to drive away negative energies and prepare the atmosphere for worship.
The crowd folds their hands.
"Har Har Gange!"
Step 2 — Chanting of Sacred Hymns
The priests sit straight and begin rhythmic chanting.
Their voices echo across the river.
Priests: Om Jai Gange Mata…
Musicians play drums and cymbals to match the chant.
The sacred hymns praise Ganga as the purifier of sins and the mother of life.
The sound fills the entire ghat with spiritual energy.
Even the river breeze seems calmer.
Tara quietly watches the ceremony with admiration.
Step 3 — Incense Burner (Dhupa)
A priest now brings forward a large incense burner shaped like a pot, from which thick fragrant smoke rises.
He begins swinging it in slow circular motions toward the river.
Priest: This sacred incense is offered to the goddess as a symbol of devotion.
Priest: The rising smoke carries our prayers upward toward the heavens.
Several priests join him, moving the incense burners in perfect synchronized circles.
Clouds of aromatic smoke slowly spread across the ghat.
The entire area smells of sandalwood and sacred herbs.
Step 4 — The Multi-Flame Lamp (Deepam)
Now another priest lifts a large brass lamp holding many burning diyas.
The flames shine brightly.
He begins swinging the lamp in large circular motions toward the river.
Priest: Fire represents divine light and knowledge.
Priest: By offering this sacred flame, we honor Mother Ganga and thank her for sustaining life.
Several priests now perform the same motion together.
Rows of glowing flames move in perfect harmony.
The sight is mesmerizing.
Even Chandraveer watches with deep focus.
Step 5 — The Great Fire Vessel
Next, a priest brings a large metal vessel containing a powerful flame.
The fire burns intensely.
He lifts it and begins swinging it slowly toward the river.
Priest: This great fire represents the cosmic energy of the universe.
Priest: Through this offering, we surrender our ego and our troubles to the divine.
The massive flames illuminate the priests' faces dramatically.
The crowd chants loudly.
"Har Har Gange!"
Step 6 — The Sacred Fan (Chamara)
Finally, the priests bring out large ceremonial fans made from sacred yak hair.
They gently wave them toward the river.
Priest: This symbolizes offering comfort and service to the divine mother.
Priest: Just as a devotee serves a king or queen, we serve the goddess with humility.
The final chants grow louder.
The ceremony reaches its peak.
The river glows with reflected firelight.
After several minutes…
The chanting slowly fades.
The Ganga Aarti is complete.
But the celebration is not finished yet.
Priests announce the next ritual.
Priest: Now devotees may offer Deepdaan to Mother Ganga.
Immediately the crowd begins lighting thousands of small lamps.
Some people hold floating diya boats made of flowers.
Others carry small leaf boats filled with flowers and lamps.
Some release Akash Deep — sky lamps that float into the night sky.
One by one…
People begin releasing them.
The floating lamps drift slowly across the mighty river.
Hundreds…
Then thousands…
Soon the entire Ganga glows like a river of stars.
At the same time, glowing sky lamps rise into the night.
The dark sky fills with floating golden lights.
Gasps spread across the crowd.
"It looks like the heavens themselves have descended."
Chandraveer and the royal family also light their lamps.
They gently release them into the river.
Tara lights one with Aryav and Kavya.
They release it together.
Aryav: That looks beautiful.
Kavya: I have never seen the river shine like this.
Tara watches the floating lamps silently.
Her face glows in their light.
The scene is breathtaking.
A few moments later…
Chandraveer stands and walks toward Tara.
Tara immediately stands.
She suddenly becomes shy again.
Chandraveer looks toward the glowing river and sky.
Chandraveer: This scenery must be captured.
Chandraveer: Find an artist immediately. I want a painting of this moment.
Tara freezes.
Her eyes widen.
Tara: in mind Wait…
Tara: in mind Artist…?
Tara: in mind ARTIST?!
Suddenly panic spreads across her face.
Tara: in mind I forgot to arrange one for the festival!
Tara quietly turns around.
Then suddenly—
She begins whisper-shouting toward her deputies.
Tara: Aryav!! Kavya!!
Aryav: Yes Devi?
Kavya: What happened?!
Tara: FIND ME AN ARTIST!!
Aryav: What?!
Kavya: Right now?!
Tara: RIGHT NOW!!
Aryav and Kavya run in opposite directions.
Aryav runs through the crowd.
Aryav: Artist?! Painter?! Anyone?!
Kavya runs to the musicians.
Kavya: Do any of you paint?!
Musician: I play drums.
Kavya: USE THE DRUMS TO PAINT!!
Musician: What?!
Meanwhile Tara is sweating nervously.
Tara: in mind This is bad… this is bad… this is bad…
Aryav runs back.
Aryav: I found a sculptor.
Tara: I need a PAINTER!!
Kavya runs back.
Kavya: I found someone who paints houses.
Tara: THAT WON'T WORK!!
They all stand there in panic.
Then suddenly…
Silence.
Tara slowly sighs.
Tara: There is only one option.
Aryav: What?
Tara pulls out drawing paper and brushes from a small scroll case.
Aryav and Kavya stare in shock.
Aryav: You can paint?!
Tara: Of course I can.
Kavya: Since when?!
Tara: Since childhood.
She quickly walks to a slightly higher platform where the entire river and sky are visible at once.
She sits down.
The glowing river.
The floating lamps.
The sky lanterns.
The crowd.
The priests.
The Emperor.
All in one view.
Tara begins painting rapidly.
Her brush moves incredibly fast.
Within minutes…
Shapes appear.
Lights.
Reflections.
The glowing river.
The floating sky lamps.
The entire magical scene captured on canvas.
Aryav and Kavya slowly lean closer.
Aryav: Devi…
Kavya: That… looks amazing…
Tara finally lifts her brush.
The painting is complete.
And it perfectly captures the most beautiful night on the Ganga.
The glowing river slowly drifts with thousands of floating lamps.
Golden lights reflect across the moving water, while dozens of Akash Deep sky lamps float higher and higher into the night sky.
The entire ghat is still filled with awe.
Tara carefully lifts the freshly finished painting.
The ink is still slightly wet.
She looks at it for a moment.
The glowing river.
The floating lamps.
The sky lanterns.
The priests and crowd.
Everything captured in one frame.
Aryav and Kavya lean closer.
Aryav: Devi… that looks incredible.
Kavya: I didn't even know you could paint.
Tara smiles a little.
Tara: There are many things you two don't know yet.
She gently rolls the painting and walks toward the royal seating area.
The guards allow her through immediately.
Chandraveer notices her approaching.
Tara respectfully bows and then carefully opens the painting before him.
The Emperor looks down at it.
For a moment…
He says nothing.
His eyes slowly scan across the painting.
The glowing river.
The reflections of the lamps.
The sky lanterns rising into the night.
Even the priests performing the ceremony are captured within the scene.
A small impressed smile appears on his face.
Chandraveer: This is beautiful.
He looks up.
Chandraveer: Which artist painted this?
Tara folds her hands politely.
Tara: I did, Maharaj.
The Emperor blinks once in surprise.
Chandraveer: You painted it?
Tara nods.
Chandraveer chuckles softly.
Chandraveer: I did not know you were an artist as well.
Tara suddenly brightens up.
Her serious minister expression disappears for a second.
Tara: Hehe… a little bit.
She makes a slightly shy but proud smile.
Aryav and Kavya standing nearby look at each other.
Aryav: whispers "A little bit", she says…
Kavya: She finished it in five minutes.
Meanwhile…
Not far from them…
A pair of eyes silently watches everything.
The Rajmata.
The Emperor's mother.
She sits behind the royal section, observing quietly.
Her expression is calm.
But her eyes are sharp.
She looks at Tara.
Then at Chandraveer.
Then back at Tara again.
Her gaze narrows slightly.
Rajmata: in mind
Who is this girl…?
Why is she sitting so close to my son…?
Her eyes remain fixed on Tara.
Suspicious.
Observing.
Judging.
The glowing lights of the river reflect faintly in her eyes.
And far away on the water…
Thousands of lamps continue floating down the sacred river.
Unaware of the quiet storm that may soon begin in the royal court.