Why do we do aarti?
Circling the lamp, then passing our hands over the flame: what ārati means and why it ends every puja.
The 60-second answer · for ages 5–10
Aarti is when we wave a lamp in circles in front of God while everyone sings and the bells ring. It's like saying, “Thank you, God, for everything, and here is our light for you!” Afterwards, we hold our hands over the warm flame and then touch our eyes and head. That's like taking God's blessing and keeping it with us. It's the happy ending of every puja.
For parents · the deeper why
Ārati (also aarti, harathi, nīrājana) is the moment many people remember most from temple visits and family pujas. The lamp is lit, bells ring, everyone sings, and the flame is waved in slow circles before the deity.
Offering light
In a traditional puja, the deity is honoured as a beloved guest, with a series of offerings: water, flowers, incense, food. Light comes near the end. It is an offering of thanks, and also a way of lighting up the sacred form so every detail can be seen and adored.
The circular motion is usually clockwise, keeping the divine at the centre, just as we walk clockwise around a shrine in pradakṣiṇa.
Receiving the light
After the ārati, the plate is brought to everyone. People cup their hands over the flame and draw them back over their eyes and head. The meaning is simple and beautiful: the light we offered comes back to us as blessing. We “take in” the divine’s warmth and protection.
The camphor lesson
Many families use camphor (karpūra) for ārati. Teachers love to point out that camphor burns completely, leaving no residue. In the same way, they say, the ego should burn away in devotion and leave nothing but light.
Why it brings families together
Ārati is participatory: anyone can sing, clap, ring the bell or hold the plate. That makes it perfect for children. Each family and region has its own songs, such as “Om Jai Jagadish Hare”, “Jai Ganesh Deva” and countless others in every language. Teach your children the one your family sings, and you’ve handed them something they’ll carry their whole lives.
Try this at home
Let your child hold the aarti plate (with help) and lead the circles this week. Teach them one line of the aarti your family sings.
Sources
- Āgama temple tradition — ārati / nīrājana as part of the sequence of offerings in worship
Written in our own words from public-domain texts, as a simple way in. The original texts are always the best teacher. Spotted something to improve? Tell us.
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