Hundreds are expected to gather along the Thames for “Ganga Aarti on the Thames: A Ceremony of Light”, a landmark riverside event at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, on Sunday, September 13.
Organised by Chinmaya Mission UK in collaboration with Totally Thames, the event is expected to be one of the UK’s largest Ganga Aarti ceremonies, marking 75 years of Chinmaya Mission and the legacy of Swami Chinmayananda.
The ceremony will take place at dusk on September 13 along the Thames, featuring illuminated lamps, music and chanting against the backdrop of the Old Royal Naval College. It will bring together Hindu spiritual leaders and communities while welcoming people of all backgrounds to celebrate nature, gratitude and unity.
Speaking exclusively to Asian Voice, Chinmaya Mission UK said, “For generations, communities have gathered on the banks of the Ganga to offer light in gratitude for the river, for nature and for all that sustains life.” Bringing the ceremony to the Thames would carry the same “spirit of gratitude, hope and unity” while connecting British Hindus with the ancient tradition.
The Mission also said Hindu tradition teaches that “our connection to the sacred Ganga is not limited by geography” and that her presence can be invoked through mantra and devotion. This would highlight founder Swami Chinmayananda’s role in spreading Vedanta worldwide.
As Chinmaya Mission marks its 75th anniversary, the event has received support from other Hindu organisations including Anoopam Mission, Arsha Vidya UK, BAPS Swaminarayan, Brahma Kumaris, HSS, ISKCON, International Vedanta Society UK, Parmarth Niketan and Sanskruti Foundation. Blessings have also come from Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre, Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur and VHP.
According to the Mission, the support reflects “the shared significance of the occasion and its spirit of unity and purpose”, adding, “we are honouring a sacred tradition while inviting people of all backgrounds to come together in a shared spirit of gratitude, unity and reverence for nature.”
Agenda on the day
On the event agenda, Chinmaya Mission UK explained, “The event runs from 4pm to 8pm and is designed as an afternoon of music, culture, food and community, building towards the main riverside Aarti at dusk.”
The programme will feature live music, cultural performances, family activities, exhibitions, vegetarian food and sessions exploring Ganga Aarti, Hinduism and Chinmaya Mission’s work in the UK and globally.
The ceremony will culminate at 7:15pm, when illuminated lamps will be offered towards the Thames alongside music and chanting at the Old Royal Naval College. The organisation stressed that nothing will be placed or released into the river, reflecting the ceremony’s “reverence for nature”.
The ceremony aims to extend the spirit of Ganga Aarti, gratitude and reverence for water, nature and all that sustains life, to River Thames.
Sparking cultural debate
While many have welcomed the cultural symbolism of the event, some have questioned the comparison between the Ganga and the Thames, noting their distinct cultural and historical contexts. The Ganga holds deep spiritual significance in Hinduism, while the Thames is closely associated with British history and identity.
“Reverence for nature is not simply an additional theme of the Ganga Aarti. The ceremony itself is an expression of gratitude and reverence towards Mother Ganga,” said Chinmaya Mission UK.
Explaining the event’s name, Chinmaya Mission UK said, “The name ‘Ganga Aarti on the Thames’ reflects the spirit of the ceremony: carrying a sacred Hindu tradition rooted in reverence for Mother Ganga into a new setting, while preserving the meaning, devotion and values at its heart.”
They added Hindu tradition recognises that sacred presence is not limited by geography and that, through mantra and devotion, Mother Ganga can be invoked wherever a devotee may be.
“The aim is not to recreate the sacred riverbanks of India in London, or to suggest that one river can stand in for another. It is to carry the devotion and meaning associated with Mother Ganga into a new setting,” the organisation clarified.
The Mission also cited blessings from spiritual leaders, including Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), who said the Thames ceremony shows how “the glory and wisdom of Mother Ganga transcend all geographical boundaries”, carrying a message of peace, knowledge and oneness.
They further added that the Aarti would be conducted entirely on land, with lamps offered towards the river rather than floating on it, and “nothing from the ceremony will be placed, poured or released into the Thames,” The organisation ensured that it was taking an “end-to-end approach to sustainability”, including measures to reduce waste and single-use plastics and protect the surrounding environment.
Ticket demands
Tickets for the event are now sold out, but demands still soar. So the Mission explained to the newsweekly that viewing the event without tickets is not advised, “The response has been extraordinary, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the level of interest. However, the venue is at full capacity and entry is limited to confirmed ticket holders.”
It advised those without tickets not to travel to the venue or seek viewing points around the Thames, “The safest and best way to experience the event is through the official livestream.” The full programme will stream on Chinmaya Channel on YouTube from 4pm to 8pm BST, with the main Aarti also broadcast on Aastha TV from 7pm to 8pm BST.
