aarati

Aarati (also arati, aarti) is a Hindu ritual of offering light to one or more deities. The term derives from Sanskrit aratrī/āratī meaning “light offering” or “worship through light.” In practice, a diya or lamp filled with ghee or oil and often with camphor is lit and waved clockwise in front of the deity while devotional songs (aarti) are sung. The lamp represents the dispelling of darkness and the devotee’s surrender to the divine.

In a typical aarti ceremony, the priest or devotee performs aarti at the altar in temples or homes, accompanied by bells, incense, and conch shells. After the arati, a priest distributes prasad (blessed food) and devotees perform darshan.

There are variations by tradition and region, including morning mangala aarti, noon or evening utsava arati, and the shayana (night) aarti. Some communities use multiple lamps or camphor flames; the circle of light symbolizes the cycles of time and the presence of the deity.

Aarti is closely tied to puja and is often followed by the singing of aarti songs addressed to the deity, examples include Om Jai Jagdish Hare and various regional hymns. In homes, aarti is also part of daily worship and festival observances.

In summary, aarati is a ritual imbued with devotion, combining light symbolism, music, and ritual movement to honor God and invite divine blessings.