Ghat Sandhya fills Assi Ghat evenings with classical dance and music

As summer evenings settle over the river, Assi Ghat is hosting Ghat Sandhya — a series of open, riverside performances of Indian classical dance and music that turn the stone steps into an informal amphitheatre. This June's editions have featured classical dance recitals, including a performance by the Anurekha Ghosh Dance Company, drawing in residents out for an evening stroll and travellers who happen upon the music as the aarti lamps are lit nearby. The setting does half the work: the Ganga at dusk, a cool breeze off the water, and the unhurried rhythm of a city that has nurtured musicians and dancers for centuries. What makes Ghat Sandhya special is how welcoming it is. There is no grand auditorium or ticket queue — you simply find a spot on the ghat, sit, and let the recital unfold. For visitors, it is one of the loveliest and most authentic ways to experience Banaras's living arts tradition; for locals, it is a gentle, free evening out. If you are in the city, ask around at Assi Ghat about the next Ghat Sandhya evening — and arrive a little early to claim a good seat on the steps.

Compiled by HelloBanaras from public sources: Ghat Sandhya / Rangmanch (Facebook) · Anurekha Ghosh Dance Company (Instagram)