Early in my Exodus Adventure Travels Foothills of the Himalayas tour, I visited Shatrughan Ghat, which offers easy access to the Ganges River for an Aarti ceremony.
The purpose of Aarti is to wave light before the deity in a spirit of humility and gratitude, thereby allowing the faithful to become immersed in god’s divine form. All accoutrements used for Aarti symbolize the five elements: space, wind, fire, water, and earth.
As the sun set, the Aarti ceremony unfolded.
Five priests, in almost perfect synchronization, performed the ritual as the sky grew darker, with drama and meaning to those of the Hindu faith watching from the riverbank.
Aarti also refers to the hymns sung in praise of the deity during the offering of light.
The Aarti ranges from simple acts of worship to extravagant rituals, but almost always includes a flame or some form of light. Priests perform it as part of most Hindu liturgies and occasions, typically involving circling a diya (lamp) clockwise before a murti (icon) of a deity, accompanied by hymns.
The diya used for Aarti is most often made of brass and holds a cotton wick soaked in camphor, ghee, or oil. The Aarti plate may include offerings such as flowers, incense, and rice.
Although you may not be Hindu, attending an Aarti is a lesson in another religion than your own. The ceremony is dramatic and beautiful.
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