How to Do Aarti the Right Way: Steps, Direction & Meaning

Aarti is the ritual offering of a lit flame to a deity, performed by holding a diya (or a multi-wick aarti lamp) and moving it in a clockwise circular motion in front of the idol, usually to the rhythm of a devotional song. Done correctly, it follows a specific order — starting near the feet and moving up to the face for a full figure, or circling steadily around a Shivling or symbolic form — clockwise motion representing the sun's path, and typically a set count such as two, four or seven circles depending on family or regional tradition.

Getting the direction and sequence right matters more than most people realise, since aarti is one of the few puja steps performed daily in almost every Hindu household, and small habits set early tend to stick for years. This guide walks through the correct steps, the reasoning behind the clockwise motion, and the mistakes worth avoiding.

What Aarti Actually Involves

At its simplest, aarti is an offering of light — the flame represents the devotee's own inner light being offered back to the divine, alongside the more literal role of illuminating the deity so worshippers can see the murti clearly during worship. It is typically the closing act of a longer puja, performed after abhishekam (bathing the idol), dressing, and offering flowers, incense and food, though many households also perform a short aarti on its own, morning and evening, without a full puja around it. Our complete puja vidhi guide covers where aarti fits within the full ritual sequence, from waking the deity in the morning to the final offering at night.

Preparing the Aarti Thali

Before you begin, assemble everything on a small thali or plate so you are not reaching mid-ritual:

• A diya or aarti lamp with cotton wicks, filled with ghee or oil
• A matchbox or lighter
• A small bell (ghanti) to ring through the aarti
• A separate small lamp or spoon for camphor, which some households light at the very end
• A bowl of water nearby, for washing hands before and after

A dedicated brass or steel aarti lamp, rather than an improvised diya, is worth having if aarti is a daily practice in your home. Look at /brass-bells for bells, and /puja-samagri for aarti lamps, wicks and the rest of the thali essentials in one place.

The Correct Steps, In Order

Once the lamp is lit and the rest of the puja, if any, is complete, aarti generally follows this sequence:

• Light the diya and hold it steady in your right hand
• Ring the bell with your left hand, continuing through the aarti
• For a full deity figure, begin the circular motion at the feet, move up to the waist, then to the face, and back down — four small circles at the feet, two at the navel, and one full circle around the whole figure is a commonly followed count, though families vary
• For a Shivling, yantra, or symbolic form without a clear "face," circle the flame steadily around the object instead
• Complete an odd or even number of full circles per family tradition — commonly two, four or seven — moving clockwise throughout
• Offer the lamp briefly to any other idols present in the mandir before setting it down
• Pass the lamp among family members so each person can pass their hands over the flame and touch them lightly to their eyes or forehead, a gesture of receiving the offered light
• Close with a pinch of water sipped or sprinkled, and a final pranam

Which Direction Should the Aarti Plate Move?

The motion should always be clockwise — the same direction associated with circumambulation (parikrama) around a temple or murti, and generally understood to mirror the sun's apparent path across the sky. A counter-clockwise motion is considered incorrect in most traditions and is one of the most common mistakes made by first-timers or children learning the ritual for the first time. If you are ever unsure mid-aarti, the simple rule is that the lamp should trace the same direction your feet would take if you were walking around the idol.

How Many Times to Circle the Flame

There is no single universal count — regional and family traditions differ — but the most commonly cited pattern is four circles at the feet, two at the navel or chest, and one full circle encompassing the whole figure, totalling seven. Some households simplify this to a straightforward round number, such as three or five full circles around the murti as a whole. What matters more than hitting an exact number is consistency and unhurried movement — an aarti rushed through in a few seconds loses the calm, offering quality that the ritual is meant to have.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Circling counter-clockwise instead of clockwise
• Rushing through the motion instead of holding a steady, even pace
• Forgetting to ring the bell throughout, rather than only at the start
• Letting the flame go out mid-aarti from an underfilled diya — check the oil or ghee level before you begin
• Not offering the lamp to other idols in the mandir if more than one murti is present

When Aarti Is Performed

Most households perform aarti at least twice daily — once in the morning after the idols are woken and offered light, and once in the evening, often around dusk, which is considered an especially auspicious time for the flame offering. Many families also perform a special aarti during festivals, on Ekadashi, or whenever a particular puja is done for a specific occasion. If you are still setting up your daily puja space, our checklist for a new home mandir covers the lamp, bell and other items worth having on hand before your first aarti.

Frequently asked questions

Which direction should the aarti lamp move — clockwise or counter-clockwise?

Always clockwise. This mirrors the direction of circumambulation around a temple and is considered incorrect if reversed.

How many times should I circle the flame during aarti?

There is no single fixed number, but four circles at the feet, two at the chest, and one full circle around the figure — seven in total — is a commonly followed pattern. Many families simplify this to three or five full circles around the murti.

Do I need to ring a bell during aarti?

It is traditional and widely followed, though not strictly mandatory. The bell is rung continuously through the aarti, held in the left hand while the lamp is held in the right.

What if the diya goes out in the middle of aarti?

Relight it and continue — an extinguished flame is not considered inauspicious in itself, though it is worth checking the oil or ghee level beforehand so it does not happen mid-ritual.

Can aarti be done without a full puja beforehand?

Yes. Many households perform a short standalone aarti, morning and evening, without a complete puja around it. A full puja typically ends with aarti, but aarti alone is also a complete, valid daily practice.

Once your aarti thali is ready, browse aarti lamps, wicks and daily samagri at /puja-samagri, and find a bell with a clear, resonant tone at /brass-bells. For a custom aarti set in brass or silver-plated finish, call or WhatsApp us on 98826 41949.