How Aarti is done

Vocals : Aarti is a simple fire ritual, where devotees gathers often in large number and sings the aarti in unison. It evokes great spiritual energy. Moreover when lot's of people gather and sing the divine lyrics of Aarti all the minds are on one thing, the aarti. Arati lyrics contains the words and shlokas in praise of the divine. Hence at the subtle and mental level all the participants put their mind on the divine.

Rotation of fire lamps : Along with the singing the most important part of Aarti is rotating aarti diyas (lamps lit with wicks (oil or ghee)) (sometimes camphor is also used) in clockwise motion in front of the idol or picture of the deity which is believed to be throbbing with sacred energy and felt by many. One person rotates the lamp while all the others sing with devotion in their heart and mind in unison.

The ritual helps the devotee to invoke the spiritual and sacred feelings in them and ward off the evil influences one might have got in the course of daily routine life. For those deep in love with God or the sacred the Aarti brings about divine mystic ecstasy in them. Just as an alcoholic is drawn towards the wine or any other alcoholic drink, the devotee is drawn towards this divinely pleasing ritual of the sacred. Sai Baba's devotees shouts in the ecstasy "Sat Chit Anand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai" (Victory unto the Guru Sai Baba, the truth, the concsiouness and the divine joy).

For those who have still not developed intense love for God, the simple fire ritual of Aarti helps in exorcising the bad effects of an 'evil-eye' (dristi dosha), and regular practice of performing Aartis thus results in developing the love towards the God, the Divine, the sacred, the divine ecstasy. Aum Sadguru Sairam. The lamp fire charged with spiritual energy is taken to all the devotees who pass their hands over it and put the palms on their forehead. A gesture of receiving the sacred energy in thier minds.

acoustics in aarti :Along with the singing and rotating the lamp is the acoustic that goes with the aarti. Usually small bells are played. The sound of the bell makes an effect at deeper level of minds. In temple along with the bells, more musical instruments like drums, tabla, blowing of Sankh are played, adding to the sacred and divine environment.

Aroma : Another important part of the Aarti is Aroma. aromatic flowers are offered to the sacred. aromatic incense is burnt, dhoop ( a powder of loban or aromatic powder made from herbs and tree barks, prescribed in Hindu tradition, is sprinkled on red hot burning charcoal. This fills the place with aromatic smoke) is done before the aarti. Dhoop is also prescribed in many religion for creating sacred environment and warding off evil energies.

Food and cleanliness : Food is offered before the aartis to the divine and after the aarti ritual is over is passed onto all present at the moment. Devotees eat a bit from that as consecrated food (prasad). In the morning aarti the Idol or the picture is given a bath with aromatic water. Before all the aarti begins the place is cleaned thoroughly.