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How to Perform Aarti: Step-by-Step Guide

  • 23 October, 2024
  • Divine Shopy

Aarti. It’s more than just a ritual. More than just a diya being waved in front of an idol. It’s a moment. A moment when the heart quiets down, the mind focuses, and in the soft glow of the flame, something shifts. Something changes within. You feel connected, don’t you? Not just to the deity but to a deeper part of yourself—your devotion, your faith, your gratitude. Aarti is a way to offer all of that to the divine, but how do you perform it correctly?

Let’s walk through it. But not just the "how" of it. Let’s wander through the "why" as well—because the answers might surprise you.

 

What is Aarti?

Aarti, that moment when the flame flickers, when the bell rings softly in the background—it’s like a dance of devotion. The word “Aarti” itself comes from the Sanskrit Ārātrika, which means "dispelling darkness." And isn’t that what we’re all trying to do? Remove the darkness from our hearts, our minds, our homes?

But, Aarti isn’t just about lighting a diya. It’s about offering your bhakti (devotion), your thanks, and your hope to the divine. The light represents knowledge, and when you offer that light, you’re not just offering it to God—you’re inviting that light into your own life.

 

What You’ll Need for Aarti

Before diving into the steps, you’ll need a few simple things—each one with its own meaning, its own energy.

  1. Diya (Lamp): The heart of the Aarti, traditionally made of brass or clay, filled with ghee or oil. A steady flame, a steady mind.
  2. Cotton Wicks (Batti): Small, but essential. It’s often the little things, isn’t it?
  3. Incense Sticks (Agarbatti): Their fragrance floats around, purifying the air and your thoughts.
  4. Bell (Ghanti): The ringing sound clears the mind—invites the divine, pushes away the distractions.
  5. Flowers: Fresh, delicate offerings of love.
  6. Kumkum and Haldi: Small gestures of respect. It’s not just about what you give; it’s about how you give it.
  7. Camphor (Kapoor): The scent of purity. The moment it burns, something inside you feels cleansed too.
  8. Aarti Plate (Thali): Holds everything together, like the ritual itself—balanced and whole.
  9. Handkerchief or Cloth: To softly cover the flame after the Aarti. A sign of respect.

 

Step-by-Step: How to Perform Aarti

1. Prepare Your Aarti Thali

Let’s start with the basics. Arrange your thali carefully. Place the diya at the center, surrounded by flowers, incense sticks, kumkum, and haldi. It’s not just about arranging items—it’s about preparing your heart, getting ready for the offering. It’s a small act, but it’s the beginning.

2. Light the Diya

Light the diya. Watch the flame catch hold of the wick, slowly at first, then with more certainty. The flame—the representation of divine light. It should be steady, not flickering. You want that, right? A steady flame. Just like you want your mind and heart to be steady in that moment of worship. Camphor can also be lit here—it adds that extra layer of purity, almost like wiping the slate clean.

3. Ring the Bell

Before you start, ring the bell with your left hand. Why? Because the sound of the bell pushes away negativity. And in that space it creates, you invite the divine in. It’s simple. But powerful. As the sound echoes, you might notice—everything seems quieter, clearer.

4. Offering the Light

Hold the Aarti plate with your right hand. Slowly, start moving the plate in a circular motion in front of the deity. But it’s not just a random motion. There’s a pattern to it, a rhythm, like the rhythm of a heartbeat:

  • Three Circles at the Feet: Humility. You start low, at the feet, a gesture of complete surrender.
  • Two Circles at the Middle: Offering balance, life energy.
  • One Circle Around the Head: Symbolizing clarity—your mind, your thoughts.

Move the flame slowly. Don’t rush. Let the moment sink in. Chant softly, or sing a bhajan. As the flame dances, your devotion rises with it. Every movement, every circle, is a form of connection.

5. Wave the Incense Sticks

After the diya, take the incense sticks. The smoke rises—taking with it your prayers, your thoughts, your intentions. It’s said that incense purifies not just the space but the soul, burning away impurities. Watch the thin threads of smoke—it’s almost meditative, isn’t it?

6. Offer Flowers

Once the Aarti is complete, offer flowers to the deity. Place them at the feet. These flowers aren’t just pretty decorations—they’re symbols of your devotion. Soft. Fragile. Yet they carry so much meaning. Sometimes the smallest offerings are the most powerful.

7. Sharing the Flame

Now, offer the flame to others around you. They wave their hands over it, then touch their eyes, their forehead. Why? It’s about receiving blessings. The light of the flame—just like the light of knowledge—touches your mind, your eyes, your heart. It’s a reminder. A reminder that divinity isn’t just outside us, in the form of a deity. It’s inside us too.

8. Gently Cover the Flame

And finally, cover the flame with a cloth. Don’t blow it out. Cover it gently. Like a secret, like something sacred. It’s a small gesture, but one that speaks volumes about respect.

 

What Mantras to Chant During Aarti?

During Aarti, you can chant or sing traditional mantras. They help focus the mind, don’t they? When you’re singing Om Jai Jagdish Hare or Jai Ganesh Deva, you’re not just chanting—you’re aligning yourself with thousands of others who’ve said those words before you. It’s like joining in on a conversation that has been happening for centuries.

 

Why Do We Perform Aarti?

That’s a question worth asking. Is it just because we’ve been told to? Or is there something deeper? Aarti is about more than the act of offering light. It’s about creating a moment of connection. With the divine. With yourself. With your family. When you perform Aarti, you’re acknowledging that there’s something bigger than all of us. Something that guides us, something we offer our thanks to.

But Aarti isn’t just a morning or evening ritual. It’s a reminder—a reminder that every day, we have light in our lives. We have clarity, we have purpose. And in that clarity, we find peace.

 

Different Types of Aarti

You might not realize it, but there are different kinds of Aarti:

  • Morning Aarti (Mangala Aarti): Performed at dawn, it’s a way of welcoming the day, asking for guidance and blessings.
  • Evening Aarti (Sandhya Aarti): At dusk, Aarti is performed to give thanks for the day that has passed, asking for protection through the night.
  • Special Occasion Aarti: Whether it’s a festival, a birthday, or any special moment, Aarti marks the occasion, fills it with light, and draws blessings to it.

 

Performing Aarti is simple, yet profound. It’s a moment in the day when everything else falls away—the noise, the chaos, the distractions. It’s just you, the flame, and the divine. And maybe, in that quiet, in that stillness, you’ll find something you didn’t even know you were looking for. Because Aarti is not just about offering light to a deity—it’s about bringing light into your own heart and soul. And who doesn’t need a little more light in their life?

So, the next time you pick up that diya, remember—this is a conversation. Between you and something greater. It’s a moment of surrender, of offering, of gratitude. Let it fill you. Let it guide you.

And as the flame flickers, let it remind you: light is always there, even in the darkest moments.

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