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arti
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Navami arti Varanasi, India: Ganga Aarti
Quick Facts
Hindi:
“the ceremony of lights”
Sanskrit:
aratrika
Also called:
aarti
Related Topics:
diya
See all related content
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Navami arti
Navami arti Hindu priest performing navami arti before a statue of the goddess Durga.

arti

Hinduism and Jainism
Also known as: aarti, arati, aratrika
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

arti, in Hindu and Jain rites, the waving of lighted lamps before an image of a god or a person to be honored. In performing the rite, the worshipper circles the lamp three times in a clockwise direction while chanting a prayer or singing a hymn. Arti is one of the most frequently observed parts of both temple and private worship (see puja). The god is honored by the lighted ghee (clarified butter) or camphor and is protected by the invocation of the deities of the directions of the compass. In Indian households, arti is a commonly observed ritual treatment accorded specially honored guests. It is also a part of many domestic ceremonies.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Tamanna Nangia.