Hinduism: Details about 'Aarti'
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Aarti, ãrti, arathi, or ãrati is a Hindu ritual in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. It is said to have descended from the Vedic concept of fire rituals, or homa. The word may also refer to the traditional Hindu devotional song that is sung in the ritual of the same name. Aarti is performed and sung to develop the highest love for God. "Aa" means towards, and "rati" means the higest love for God in Sanskrit. Aarti is generally performed twice or three times daily. Usually, in the morning and in the evening, and at the end of a puja or bhajan session. Aarti is also a common name for Hindu females.
Aarti in Hindu templesIn mandirs (Hindu temples) aarti is performed daily by pujaris (priests). There is usually a 'mangala-arati' first thing in the morning, another later in the morning, one at lunchtime, one in the evening and the final arati of the day at sundown. The assembled devotees in the temple sing various types of kirtana and bhajans during the arati ceremony. Although exact rituals vary, aarti follows roghly following steps. The pujari performing arati first purifies his hands with sacred water from the acamana cup. He then sprinkles three spoonfuls of water over a conch, and blows it three times. He then lights an odd number of incense sticks (usually three) from a ghee lamp standing beside the altar. While ringing a small bell, he waves it seven times around the deities, and then he waves it once to the assembled devotees. The pujari next lights a five-wick ghee lamp from the large lamp and offers it; four circles to the deities' feet, two to their navel, three to their face, and then he waves it seven times around the deities' whole bodies. This allows the devotee to focus on all parts of the deity. He then gives it to another devotee, who presents the lamp to each devotee in the temple room. When offered the ghee lamp, devotees touch the flame with their hands, and then touch their hands to their foreheads in a gesture to embrace the warmth and devotion towards the God. The pujari then takes a smaller conch and fills it with water. He offers it by waving it three times around the deities' heads and seven times around their bodies. He then pours the water into a shaker; which another devotee takes and walks around the temple room shaking it, ensuring that everyone has been touched by the water. The next item offered is a cloth, offered seven times around the deities. After the cloth has been offered, the pujari takes a plate with flowers on it and offers it seven times around the deities' bodies. The plate is then taken by another devotee and offered to the rest of the devotees, who each sniff the flowers. Pujari concluded the aarti by waving a camara (yak-tail whisk) at the altar in a gesture of fanning the deities. In warm weather, he will also wave a peacock fan before the deities. Aarti LyricsWhile any devotional song or bhajan can be sung during aarti proceedings, following song is very popular unless Aarti is specifically ascribed to a particular deity, in which case corresponding special song of praise is offered.
Aarti in South Indian templesAarti performed at South Indian Temples mostly follows the above mentioned rituals except that they are often more elaborate in the way they are performed. Aarti is also referred to as Deepa Aaradhanai in Tamil The following Sanskrit Shlokha accompanies the ritual of Aarti:
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