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Aaraati

Aarti is finale of a Puja ritual and involves a flame or a light. It is usually performed at the end of a puja (in southern India) or bhajan session (in northern India). It is performed during almost all Hindu ceremonies and occasions. An ‘Aarati plate’ or ‘Aarati lamp’ is shown to the deity and is accompanied by the congregation singing songs in praise of that deva. At the end of the aarati, the priest circulates the plate or lamp 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 aarati 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. One or more cotton wicks (always an odd number) are put into the oil and then lighted, or camphor is burnt instead. The plate may also contain flowers, incense and akshata (rice).[7] In some temples, a plate is not used and the priest holds the ghee lamp in his hand when offering it to the Deities.

The purpose of performing aarati is the waving of lighted wicks before the deities in a spirit of humility and gratitude, wherein faithful followers become immersed in God’s divine form. It symbolises the five elements:

space (akash) Wind (vayu) Fire (agni) Water (jal) Earth (prithvi)

(or in this sequence ‘Bh’umi (Earth),’A’gni (Fire),’G’agan (Space),’Wa’yu (Wind),’N’eer (Water) (BHAGWAN))