┬лJai Ambe Gauri┬╗ describes the Mother's adornment, lion vehicle and weapons and her slaying of demons тАФ Shumbha-Nishumbha, Mahishasura, Chanda-Munda, Raktabeej, Madhu-Kaitabha.
ЁЯУЦ Full text тАФ with meaning
Tap ┬лRoman (English) script┬╗ to see the original Devanagari text.
Shri Ambeji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gavai |
Kahat Shivananda Svami, Sukh Sampati Pavai || Jai Ambe Gauri ||
Shivanand Swami says тАФ whoever sings this aarti of Shri Ambe ji attains happiness and prosperity.
ЁЯУ┐ Japa counter (mala of 108)
Tap the button for each repetition; every 108 counts as one mala (your phone vibrates). The count is saved on this device/browser.
ЁЯУЕ Next auspicious days (from our panchang)
23 Oct (Friday)
30 Oct (Friday)
6 Nov (Friday)
13 Nov (Friday)
20 Nov (Friday)
27 Nov (Friday)
Dates are for Delhi sunrise; see today's panchang for your city.
ЁЯкФ How to chant / recite
Time: At the end of the morning puja and at dusk (godhuli).
Method: Place a ghee lamp/camphor, flowers and akshata on the plate; wave the aarti clockwise before the deity тАФ 4 times before the feet, 2 before the navel, 1 before the face, then 7 times over the whole form (common practice).
Along with it: Singing together with bell, conch and clapping is the custom.
End: After the aarti, take the warmth of the flame with both hands to your eyes/head, circle water around the aarti and offer pushpanjali.
ЁЯЫХ Puja vidhi (step by step)
ЁЯз║ Items needed
Picture/idol of Maa Durga
Red chunari and red cloth
Red flowers (especially hibiscus)
Roli, kumkum, akshata, sindoor
Solah shringar items (as possible)
Ghee lamp (akhand jyoti in Navratri)
Coconut, fruits, halwa-puri or sweets as bhog
Cloves, cardamom, betel leaf
ЁЯк╖ Procedure
Bathe and wear clean clothes; clean the puja place and spread a fresh cloth on the altar (chowki).
Do achamana (sip water three times) and purify hands and mouth; sit on an asana and calm the mind.
Light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil тАФ by tradition the lamp is kept to the deity's right.
Take water, akshata (unbroken rice) and a flower in the right hand and make the sankalpa тАФ your name, gotra, place, date and the purpose of the puja, spoken or in the mind; then let the water fall to the ground.
First remember Shri Ganesha (Om Gam Ganapataye Namah).
Invoke the Mother; in Navratri establish the kalash on the altar, otherwise just the picture.
Offer water, drape the red chunari; offer roli-kumkum, sindoor, akshata and red flowers.
Show incense and lamp, offer coconut and bhog; recite Durga Chalisa / Durga Saptashati or chant the Navarna mantra (Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche).
Sing ┬лJai Ambe Gauri┬╗; on Ashtami/Navami kanya-pujan is customary.
Finally perform aarti, offer pushpanjali (flowers) and do parikrama (or turn around in your place).
Ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja, distribute the prasad and take it yourself.
тЪая╕П Rules & precautions
In Navratri keep sattvic food, celibacy and fast as per capacity; onion-garlic avoided.
Durva grass is not offered to the Mother тАФ it is dear to Ganesha.
If an akhand jyoti is lit, do not let it go out and do not leave the house empty.
The worship of one who disrespects women is not accepted тАФ the core spirit of the Shakta tradition.
ЁЯМЯ Benefits (as per tradition)
A prayer for protection from fear and trouble; the conclusion of Navratri sadhana.
A prayer for happiness, prosperity and fulfilment of wishes at home.
These are traditional beliefs described in scriptures; results are understood to depend on faith, discipline and one's own actions.
тЭУ Frequently asked questions
How many times is the aarti done in Navratri?
Both morning and evening; before the akhand jyoti if one is lit.
Who is Shivanand Swami in the aarti?
He is named as the author in the last stanza тАФ the Shiv Aarti is also attributed to him.
