Aarti

Hi Every body ,

Today Topic we are talking about is Aarti. Every one would have seen doing aarti after the pooja in Temples
and also in our houses .So we will know some thing about this .

Meaning
Aarti (Hindi आरती), also spelled arathi, aarthi (from the Sanskrit term Aradhana) is a
Hindu ritual, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor
is offered to one or more deities. Aartis also refer to the songs sung in praise of
the deity, when offering of lamps is being offered.:

: Tamil Version for AArti

Aarti performed at South Indian temples mostly follows the above-mentioned rituals
 except that they are often more elaborate in the way they are performed. Aarti is
also referred to as Deepa Aaradhanai in Tamil.

How:
 Aarti is generally performed one to five times daily, and usually at the end of a
puja or bhajan session. It is performed during almost all Hindu ceremonies and occasions.
It involves the circulating of an 'Aarti plate' around a person or deity and is generally
accompanied by the singing of songs in praise of that deva or person (many versions exist).
 In doing so, the plate itself is supposed to acquire the power of the deity. The priest
circulates the plate to all those present. They cup their down-turned hands over the flame
and then raise their palms to their forehead - the purificatory blessing, passed from the deva's
 image to the flame, has now been passed to the devotee.

Why:
 The purpose of performing arati is the waving of lighted wicks before the deities in a spirit of
humility and gratitude, wherein faithful followers become immersed in God's divine form. It symbolises
 the five elements: 1) space (akash), 2) wind (vayu), 3) light (tej), 4) water (jal), and 5) earth (pruthvi).
 Communal Aarti is performed in the mandir; however, devotees also perform it in their homes.