Aarti time 🪔
Aarti is when we wave a little lamp in circles in front of God and sing together. The word comes from the Sanskrit aaratrika — the ritual of offering light. It is usually the last, most loved part of a puja: the lamp is circled clockwise before the deity while everyone sings, and afterwards each person cups their hands over the flame and touches their forehead to receive the blessing.
What's on the aarti thali — and why
A traditional thali (usually brass, copper or silver) holds a few special things. Each one carries a teaching.
▸🪔Diya (ghee lamp)
The little flame chases away darkness — just like learning and kindness chase away sadness.
Fire has been sacred in Hindu worship since the Vedas, where Agni, the fire god, carries our prayers to the heavens. In aarti, the flame stands for the light of knowledge that removes the darkness of ignorance. Traditionally the lamp is filled with ghee (clarified butter), which burns with a steady, bright flame — a symbol of a steady, pure mind. After the aarti, people cup their hands over the flame and touch their foreheads, taking the light's blessing into themselves.
▸🔔Bell (ghanti)
Its ring says 'Hello God, I'm here!' and helps everyone stop chatting and pay attention.
The bell is rung through the whole aarti. Its sound is said to echo 'Om', the first sound of the universe, and tradition holds that it drives away distracting and negative vibrations so the mind can focus only on God. The bell is usually made of a mix of metals, and its body is often carved with figures of Garuda, Nandi or other divine beings.
▸🌸Flowers
A thank-you gift. Flowers are soft and pretty, like the good heart we offer to God.
Flowers represent the offering of our own heart — beautiful, fresh and given freely. In puja they also stand for the earth and its goodness. Offering flowers is one of the oldest forms of worship described in the Puranas, and the Bhagavad Gita (9.26) says God accepts even a leaf, a flower, fruit or water when it is offered with love.
▸🔴Kumkum & haldi
Red kumkum and yellow turmeric are for the tilak — a dot that means blessings and good luck.
The tilak is placed on the forehead at the spot of the 'third eye' — the seat of wisdom and inner sight. Red kumkum stands for Shakti, the divine energy of the Mother Goddess, and for honour and auspiciousness. Yellow haldi (turmeric) has been used in rituals for thousands of years for purity and protection; it is also naturally antiseptic, which is why elders call it a blessing for health.
▸🍚Akshat (unbroken rice)
Whole, unbroken rice means 'may our happiness never break'.
'Akshat' literally means 'unbroken'. Whole rice grains are offered because they symbolise completeness and a life without brokenness. Rice is also a grain that never spoils easily and sustains life, so it stands for prosperity that lasts. Mixed with turmeric it turns golden-yellow, the colour of auspicious beginnings.
▸🌿Incense (agarbatti)
The sweet smell floats everywhere, like good thoughts that spread to everyone.
Incense represents the element of air and the idea that virtue, like fragrance, spreads in every direction without being seen. The rising smoke also reminds us that prayers rise upward. Traditionally, sandalwood and other natural resins are used, and the fragrance is said to purify the space and calm the mind for prayer.
▸🍬Prasad (sweets)
Food offered to God first, then shared with everyone — sharing is the blessing!
Prasad means 'grace'. Food is first offered to the deity (naivedya), and once blessed, it is shared among everyone present — rich or poor, young or old — as God's gift, not just food. This is why prasad is always received with both hands and never refused. It teaches that everything we eat is a gift, and that blessings grow when they are shared.
▸💧Water (kalash / lota)
Water keeps us clean and alive. We offer it to say thank you for nature.
Water is one of the five great elements (pancha bhoota) that make up creation — earth, water, fire, air and space — and a complete puja honours all five. The kalash, a pot of water often topped with a coconut and mango leaves, is itself worshipped as a symbol of life and abundance, and is said to hold the presence of the sacred rivers like Ganga.
▸🥥Coconut
Hard outside, sweet inside — breaking it means letting go of 'me first' and being sweet.
The coconut is called 'shriphal', the fruit of the gods. Its hard shell stands for the ego, and breaking it open before God means breaking our own hardness and pride to reveal the soft, sweet person inside. The three dark marks on a coconut are also seen as a reminder of the three-eyed Lord Shiva.
▸🔥Camphor (kapoor)
It burns away fully and leaves nothing behind — like letting go of grumpy feelings.
Camphor is special because it burns completely, leaving no ash and no trace. This is one of the most loved teachings of aarti: just as the camphor disappears into the flame, we pray that our ego and selfishness disappear into God, leaving nothing behind but light. Its cool, clean fragrance is also believed to purify the air.
Sources: traditional puja practice as documented by Drik Panchang and standard aarti vidhi guides; Bhagavad Gita 9.26 on offerings made with love.
Aartis to sing along — full lyrics
Complete traditional lyrics in easy Roman spelling. Listen links open YouTube sorted by most viewed.
▸Om Jai Jagdish Hare · Vishnu (sung for all)
Om jai Jagdish hare, Swami jai Jagdish hare,
Bhakt janon ke sankat, kshan mein door kare.
Om jai Jagdish hare.
Jo dhyave phal pave, dukh binse man ka,
Swami dukh binse man ka,
Sukh sampati ghar aave, kasht mite tan ka.
Om jai Jagdish hare.
Maat-pita tum mere, sharan gahun main kiski,
Swami sharan gahun main kiski,
Tum bin aur na dooja, aas karun main jiski.
Om jai Jagdish hare.
Tum pooran parmatma, tum antaryami,
Swami tum antaryami,
Parbrahm Parmeshwar, tum sabke swami.
Om jai Jagdish hare.
Tum karuna ke sagar, tum palan-karta,
Swami tum palan-karta,
Main moorakh khal kami, kripa karo bharta.
Om jai Jagdish hare.
Tum ho ek agochar, sabke pran-pati,
Swami sabke pran-pati,
Kis vidhi milun dayamay, tumko main kumati.
Om jai Jagdish hare.
Deen-bandhu dukh-harta, tum Thakur mere,
Swami tum Thakur mere,
Apne haath uthao, dwar pada tere.
Om jai Jagdish hare.
Vishay-vikar mitao, paap haro deva,
Swami paap haro deva,
Shraddha-bhakti badhao, santan ki seva.
Om jai Jagdish hare.
Shri Jagdishji ki aarti, jo koi nar gave,
Swami jo koi nar gave,
Kahat Shivanand Swami, sukh sampatti pave.
Om jai Jagdish hare.
🌟 Victory to the Lord of the whole world! You take away the troubles of those who love you in a moment. You are my mother and father — I have no one but you.
▶ Listen on YouTube▸Jai Ganesh Deva · Ganesha
Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva,
Mata jaki Parvati, pita Mahadeva.
Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari,
Mathe sindoor sohe, moose ki savari.
Jai Ganesh…
Paan chadhe, phool chadhe, aur chadhe mewa,
Ladduan ka bhog lage, sant karein seva.
Jai Ganesh…
Andhon ko aankh det, kodhin ko kaya,
Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya.
Jai Ganesh…
Haar chadhe, phool chadhe, aur chadhe mewa,
Ladduan ka bhog lage, sant karein seva.
Jai Ganesh…
Deenan ki laaj rakho, Shambhu sutkari,
Kamna ko pooran karo, jaun balihari.
Jai Ganesh…
🌟 Victory to Ganesha, whose mother is Parvati and father is Shiva. He has one tusk, four arms, and rides a little mouse. He gives sight to the blind and blessings to all who ask.
▶ Listen on YouTube▸Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki · Krishna
Aarti kunj bihari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki.
Aarti kunj bihari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki.
Gale mein baijanti mala, bajave murali madhur bala,
Shravan mein kundal jhalkala, Nand ke anand Nandlala.
Gagan sam ang kanti kali, Radhika chamak rahi aali.
Aarti kunj bihari ki…
Lat mein saj ke peethambar, tribhagi roop ati chhaviwar,
Kar mein murali gahwar, sab brahma bhaav door kari.
Aarti kunj bihari ki…
Kanakamay tan tej birajat, chhabi dekhat sur nar muni magan,
Pad raj Shrivatsa ur shobhit, vahu bhakti deen bandhu karuna nidhaan.
Aarti kunj bihari ki…
🌟 An aarti for Krishna who plays in the groves (kunj), lifts the Govardhan mountain, wears a garland of forest flowers and plays a sweet flute. He is the joy of Nanda's house.
▶ Listen on YouTube▸Om Jai Lakshmi Mata · Lakshmi
Om jai Lakshmi mata, maiya jai Lakshmi mata,
Tumko nishdin sevat, Hari Vishnu vidhata.
Om jai Lakshmi mata.
Uma, Rama, Brahmani, tum hi jag mata,
Maiya tum hi jag mata,
Surya Chandrama dhyavat, Narad rishi gata.
Om jai Lakshmi mata.
Durga roop niranjani, sukh sampatti data,
Maiya sukh sampatti data,
Jo koi tumko dhyavat, riddhi siddhi dhan pata.
Om jai Lakshmi mata.
Tum patal-nivasini, tum hi shubhdata,
Maiya tum hi shubhdata,
Karma-prabhav-prakashini, bhav-nidhi ki trata.
Om jai Lakshmi mata.
Jis ghar mein tum rehti, sab sadgun aata,
Maiya sab sadgun aata,
Sab sambhav ho jata, man nahin ghabrata.
Om jai Lakshmi mata.
Tum bin yagya na hove, vastra na koi pata,
Maiya vastra na koi pata,
Khan-paan ka vaibhav, sab tumse aata.
Om jai Lakshmi mata.
Shubh gun mandir sundar, Kshirodadhi-jata,
Maiya Kshirodadhi-jata,
Ratan chaturdash tum bin, koi nahin pata.
Om jai Lakshmi mata.
Mahalakshmiji ki aarti, jo koi nar gata,
Maiya jo koi nar gata,
Ur anand samata, paap utar jata.
Om jai Lakshmi mata.
🌟 Victory to Mother Lakshmi, born from the ocean of milk, cared for day and night by Vishnu. In the home where she lives, every good quality arrives and the heart is never afraid. Sung especially at Diwali.
▶ Listen on YouTube▸Jai Ambe Gauri · Durga
Jai Ambe Gauri, maiya jai Shyama Gauri,
Tumko nishdin dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivji.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Maang sindoor virajat, teeko mrigmad ko,
Ujjwal se do naina, chandravadan neeko.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Kanak saman kalevar, raktambar rajai,
Rakt pushp gal mala, kanthan par sajai.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Kehari vahan rajat, khadag khappar dhari,
Sur-nar-muni-jan sevat, tinke dukh hari.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Kanan kundal shobhit, nasagre moti,
Kotik chandra divakar, sam rajat jyoti.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Shumbh-nishumbh bidare, Mahishasur ghati,
Dhoomra vilochan naina, nishdin madmati.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Chand-Mund sanhare, Shonit Beej hare,
Madhu-Kaitabh dou mare, sur bhayaheen kare.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Brahmani, Rudrani, tum Kamla rani,
Aagam-nigam bakhani, tum Shiv patrani.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Chaunsath yogini gavat, nritya karat Bhairu,
Bajat taal mridanga, aru bajat damru.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Tum hi jag ki mata, tum hi ho bharta,
Bhaktan ki dukh harta, sukh sampatti karta.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Bhuja char ati shobhit, var mudra dhari,
Manvanchhit phal pavat, sevat nar-nari.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Kanchan thaal virajat, agar kapoor bati,
Shri Malketu mein rajat, koti ratan jyoti.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
Shri Ambeji ki aarti, jo koi nar gave,
Kahat Shivanand Swami, sukh sampatti pave.
Jai Ambe Gauri.
🌟 Victory to Mother Durga, golden and radiant! Even Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva think of her day and night. She rides a lion, carries sword and bowl, and destroys the demons who trouble the world. Sung through Navratri.
▶ Listen on YouTube▸Om Jai Shiv Omkara · Shiva
Om jai Shiv Omkara, Swami jai Shiv Omkara,
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, ardhangi dhara.
Om jai Shiv Omkara.
Ekanan chaturanan, panchanan raje,
Hansasan Garudasan, vrishvahan saje.
Om jai Shiv Omkara.
Do bhuj char chaturbhuj, dasbhuj ati sohe,
Trigun roop nirakhte, tribhuvan jan mohe.
Om jai Shiv Omkara.
Akshmala vanmala, mundmala dhari,
Chandan mrigmad sohe, bhale shashidhari.
Om jai Shiv Omkara.
Shvetambar pitambar, baghambar ange,
Sanakadik Garunadik, bhootadik sange.
Om jai Shiv Omkara.
Kar ke madhya kamandalu, chakra trishuldhari,
Sukhakari dukhahari, jagpalan kari.
Om jai Shiv Omkara.
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, janat aviveka,
Pranavakshar mein shobhit, ye tino eka.
Om jai Shiv Omkara.
Trigun Shivji ki aarti, jo koi nar gave,
Kahat Shivanand Swami, manvanchhit phal pave.
Om jai Shiv Omkara.
🌟 Victory to Shiva, the sound of Om! Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are one. He wears the moon on his forehead, holds the trident, and brings happiness and removes sorrow.
▶ Listen on YouTube▸Aarti Keeje Hanuman Lala Ki · Hanuman
Aarti keeje Hanuman lala ki,
Dusht dalan Raghunath kala ki.
Aarti keeje Hanuman lala ki.
Jake bal se girivar kanpe,
Rog dosh jake nikat na jhanke.
Anjani putra maha baldayi,
Santan ke prabhu sada sahayi.
Aarti keeje Hanuman lala ki.
De beera Raghunath pathaye,
Lanka jari Siya sudhi laye.
Lanka so kot samudra si khayi,
Jat pavan sut baar na layi.
Aarti keeje Hanuman lala ki.
Lanka jari asur sanhare,
Siyaramji ke kaj sanvare.
Lakshman moorchhit pade sakaare,
Aani Sanjivan pran ubaare.
Aarti keeje Hanuman lala ki.
Paithi patal tori jamkaare,
Ahiravan ki bhuja ukhaare.
Baayein bhuja asur dal maare,
Dahine bhuja sant jan taare.
Aarti keeje Hanuman lala ki.
Sur nar muni aarti utare,
Jai jai jai Hanuman uchare.
Kanchan thaar kapoor lau chhaayi,
Aarti karat Anjani maayi.
Aarti keeje Hanuman lala ki.
Jo Hanumanji ki aarti gave,
Basi Baikunth param pad pave.
Lankavidhvans kiye Raghurai,
Tulsidas prabhu keerthi gayi.
Aarti keeje Hanuman lala ki.
🌟 Let's do aarti for dear Hanuman, who defeats the wicked with the strength of Rama. Mountains tremble at his might, illness dare not come near him, and Mother Anjani herself waves the lamp for her son.
▶ Listen on YouTube