🕉️ All aarti

Aarti is a devotional ritual performed at the end of worship, in which a lamp (diya) or camphor is lit and offered to the deity while singing devotional hymns, accompanied by bells and conches. The word Aarti comes from the Sanskrit "Aaratrika", meaning a lamp that removes darkness. According to the Skanda Purana, even if worship is performed with some deficiency in mantras or rituals, performing Aarti brings completeness to it.

How to Perform Aarti

1. Offer Pushpanjali (flowers) three times while chanting the deity's main mantra
2. Light a lamp or camphor in a clean vessel, using an odd number of wicks
3. Rotate the lamp before the deity in sequence: 4 times at the feet, 2 at the navel, 1 before the face, 7 before the entire form
4. Sing the Aarti while ringing bells or conches
5. After the Aarti, pass your hands over the flame and touch them to your eyes

Benefits of Aarti

• Helps focus the mind and reduce negative thoughts
• Purifies the atmosphere of the home or place of worship
• Scriptures state that even watching Aarti with devotion carries great spiritual merit

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should Aarti be performed?
To express reverence, devotion and gratitude to God, and to bring completeness to worship. Read the full answer

How should Aarti be performed?
Offer Pushpanjali, then light a lamp and rotate it before the deity while singing hymns. Read the full answer

How many wicks should be used?
Five wicks (Panchapradeep) is most common, though one, seven or any odd number is acceptable. Read the full answer

What are Aarti wicks made of?
Traditionally ghee, camphor, sandalwood, kumkum and agarwood; cotton and ghee is most common today. Read the full answer

What are the five limbs of Aarti?
Lamp, water-filled conch, clean cloth, leaves, and full prostration. Read the full answer

How many times should the lamp be rotated?
In the 4-2-1-7 sequence: feet, navel, face, entire form. Read the full answer

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