Aarti

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'Aarti, ãrti, arathi'Aarthi or ãrati is a Hindu ritual, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more devas/devis.

[edit] Origin

Aarti 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 during the ritual. Aarti is performed and sung to develop the highest love for God. "Aa" means "towards", and "rati" means "the highest love for God" in Sanskrit.

[edit] Practice

Aarti is generally performed two to five times daily, and usually at the end of a puja or bhajan session. It is performed during almost all Hindu ceremonies and occasions. It involves the circulating of an 'Aarti plate' around a person or idol and is generally accompanied by the singing of songs in praise of that deva or person (many versions exist). In doing so, the plate itself is supposed to acquire the power of the deity. The priest circulates the plate to all those present. They cup their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead - the purificatory blessing, passed from the deva's image to the flame, has now been passed to the devotee.

The aarti plate is generally made of metal, usually silver, bronze or copper. On it must repose a lamp made of kneaded flour, mud or metal, filled with oil or ghee. A cotton wick is put into the oil and then lighted, or camphor is burnt instead. The plate also contains flowers, incense and akshata.^[1]

The purpose of performing arati is to ward off evil effects and the malefic influence of the 'evil eye'. Aarti is hence performed on people of high social or economic status; small children during various ceremonies; on people who are going on or are coming back from a long journey; on a bride and bridegroom when they enter their house for the first time; at harvest; on anything else of importance. It is also performed on newly acquired property, or before an important task.

It is believed that the idol of a deva too is susceptible to the evil eye, and needs regular arati, with the singing of special arati songs. These songs laud the glory of the deva and describe the benefits that one might gain by praying to them.

Sometimes they also contain snippets of information on the life of the gods. Arati songs are particular to each deva. The most commonly sung arati is that to Vishnu. The song Om Jai Jagdish Hare is known as "The Universal Aarti" and is another common aarti song. In most temples in India, arati is performed at least twice a day, after the ceremonial puja, which is the time when the largest number of devotees congregates.

Aarti (also spelt Arati, Arthi, Aarthi, Aarti or Arti) is also a common name for Hindu girls.

[edit] Aarti in South Indian temples

Aarti 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

[edit] Aarti in Gaudiya Vaishnavism

In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, aarti refers to the whole puja ritual, of which offering the lamp is only one part. A conch is blown to start the aarti, then an odd number of incense sticks are offered to the deity. The lamp is offered next, and then circulated among the devotees. A conch is then filled with water, and offered; the water is then poured into a sprinkler and sprinkled over the devotees. A cloth and flowers are then offered, and the flowers are circulated to the devotees, who sniff them. The deity is then faned with a camara whisk, and a peacock fan in hot countries.

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• Ganga Arati Video Quicktime streaming video of worship of the Ganges in Haridwar
• Online Aartis of Shree Ganesha, ShreeDutta, Bhagwan Shiva, Saaibaba and Mantrapushpanjali
• Online Aartis of Shree Sai Baba performed in Shirdi

hi:आरती it:Arathi