Arati – an important worship ceremony in which an offering of light is made to the deity

(Pronounced Ah-rah-tee)

NOTE: Can also be spelt Arti, Arathi, Aarati, Aarthi, Aarthy or Arthy.

To remember the meaning of the Hindu term Arati, use the following mnemonic:

The arachnids teemed (Arati) into the temple, but they were able to ward them off with light from torches and lamps, and they carried on their ceremony.

Arati, or The Ceremony of the Lights, involves the waving of lamps in front of an image of the god or person being honoured.

The person performing of the rite (religious act) circles the lamp three times in a clockwork direction while chanting or singing a hymn.

Arati is commonly performed in the home as well as the temple. It is Hindus' customary way of welcoming a guest or friend, or greeting a returned loved one.

The Arati ceremony in the home is usually quite simple and informal, but in the temple it is more elaborate and requires exacting punctuality and strict rules of cleanliness. The ceremony lasts anything from five minutes to half an hour.

In the more elaborate versions of the ceremony, other paraphernalia is used apart from lamps. This can include incense, a conch (shell) filled with pure water, fragrant flowers and a peacock-feather fan.