Significance Of Arti

 

The Arti(pronounced as Aarti, Arti, Arathi, or Arati) is one of the most important and popular ceremonies of the Hindu faith. Arati is derived from the Sanskrit word Aratrika, which means something that removes Ratri, darkness.Also in Sanskrit, the word ‘arti’ – written as ‘aarati’ – is composed of the prefix ‘aa’, meaning complete, and ‘rati’, meaning love. The arti is thus an expression of one’s complete and unflinching love towards God. It is sung and performed with a deep sense of reverence, adoration, and meditative awareness. The Arti ceremony is said to have descended from the ancient Vedic concept of fire rituals, or homa.

 

Arti is the most popular ceremony and performed two or five times per day in temples. It is a greeting ceremony offered to the murti (idol of deity), gurus, holy people, and other representations of the divine. Arti is often called "the ceremony of lights" but usually involves offering more than just a lamp.

 

Apart from worldly activities arti also represents one's self - thus, arti signifies that one is peripheral to God head or divinity. This would keep one's ego down and help one remain humble in spite of high social and economic rank. Another commonly held understanding of the ritual is that arti serves as a reminder to stay vigilant so that the forces of material pleasures and desires cannot overcome the individual. Just as the lighted wick provides light and chases away darkness, the vigilance of an individual can keep away the influence of the material world.

 

The term‘arti’ also refers to the prayer sung in praise of the Deity while the wicks are waved. This prayers (various types of kirtans and bhajans) is joyously sung to the accompaniment of musical instruments, including drums, bells,gongs, and a conch-shell. The priest performing Arti first purifies his hands with sacred water from the cup of water (Aachamanam). 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 hand bell, he waves it seven times around the deities, and then the lighted wicks are passed to the assembled devotees to receive the blessings infused within the flames. Members hover their hands over the flame and then reverently touch them to their eyes and head. The purificatory blessing, conveyed from the Deities to the flame is now been passed on to the devotee.

 

The most commonly sung arti is that is dedicated to all deities is Om Jai Jagdish Hare, known as "The Universal Arti" and its variations are used for the other deities.

 

The arti is usually performed five times during the day at shikharbaddha (large) mandirs with each arti relating to a specific part of the Deities’ routine. The five most common artis are Mangala Arti (auspicious), Shangar Arti (adornments), Rajbhog Arti (royaloffering), Sandhya Arti (evening) and Shayan Arti (sleeping). At smaller mandirs / shrines and at devotees’ homes, the arti is performed twice daily, in the mornings and the evenings.

 

The arti also features as a component of other, more elaborate rituals within Hindu worship, and is often the concluding prayer in religious assemblies and festivals.