The significance of AARTI in Hinduism

For a non-Hindu Aarti or waving lamps might look like an unusual and alien practice, but for a Hindu it is a way to connect to the almighty and pray. More than just a practice its a whole process to invoke the divine and express your gratitude. There are many factors related to Aarti in terms of its significance. Aarti can be an expression of many things including love, benevolence, gratitude, prayer, or desire depending on the object it is done for. For example, it can be a form of respect when performed for elders, prayers when performed for deities, or hope when performed for homes or vehicles. It's also believed that goodwill and luck can be taken through symbolic hand movements over the flame.

When aarti is performed, the performer faces the idol of God (or any divine element like Ganges river) and concentrates on the form of God. The flame of the aarti lights up the idol or form of the deity so that the performer may better see and concentrate on the form. Aarti is waved in circular fashion, in clockwise manner around the deity.

The idea here is that aarti represents our daily activities, which revolve around God, the center of our life. Looking at God while performing aarti reminds us to keep God at the center of all activities and strengthen the understanding that all the worldly things are secondary in importance. This understanding would give the believers strength to withstand unexpected grief and keep them humble. Another commonly held understanding of the ritual is that aarti 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.

Aarti is not only limited to God. Aarti can performed not only to all forms of life, but also inanimate objects which help in the progress of the culture. This is exemplified by the performer of aarti waving aarti to all the devotees as the aarti comes to an end - signifying that everyone has a part of God within that the performer respects and bows down to.