«Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki» is the most popular Krishna aarti sung daily in the Krishna temples of North India — a vivid picture of Vrindavan's groves, Radha, the gopis, the flute and the banks of the Yamuna.
📖 Full text — with meaning
Tap «Roman (English) script» to see the original Devanagari text.
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की॥
Aarti Kunjabihari Ki, Shri Giridhar Krishnamurari Ki ||
The aarti of Shri Krishna, who roams the groves of Vrindavan, the lifter of Govardhan (Giridhar), Murari.
गले में बैजंती माला, बजावै मुरली मधुर बाला।
श्रवण में कुण्डल झलकाला, नंद के आनंद नंदलाला।
गगन सम अंग कांति काली, राधिका चमक रही आली।
लतन में ठाढ़े बनमाली; भ्रमर सी अलक, कस्तूरी तिलक, चंद्र सी झलक;
ललित छवि श्यामा प्यारी की॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की॥
Gale Men Baijanti Mala, Bajavai Murali Madhur Bala |
Shravan Men Kundal Jhalkala, Nand Ke Anand Nandlala |
Gagan Sam Ang Kanti Kali, Radhika Chamak Rahi Ali |
Latan Men Thadhe Banmali; Bhramar Si Alak, Kasturi Tilak, Chandra Si Jhalak;
Lalit Chhavi Shyama Pyari Ki ||
Aarti Kunjabihari Ki, Shri Giridhar Krishnamurari Ki ||
The Vaijayanti garland is around his neck, he plays the sweet flute, earrings sparkle in his ears — Nandlala, joy of Nanda; his dark limbs are like the sky, Radhika shines beside him; the forest-garlanded one stands among the creepers — locks like bees, a musk tilak, a moon-like glow; this charming image with beloved Shyama (Radha).
कनकमय मोर मुकुट बिलसै, देवता दरसन को तरसैं।
गगन सों सुमन रासि बरसै; बजे मुरचंग, मधुर मिरदंग, ग्वालिन संग;
अतुल रति गोप कुमारी की॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की॥
Kanakmay Mor Mukut Bilasai, Devata Darsan Ko Tarsain |
Gagan Son Suman Rasi Barsai; Baje Murachang, Madhur Miradang, Gvalin Sang;
Atul Rati Gop Kumari Ki ||
Aarti Kunjabihari Ki, Shri Giridhar Krishnamurari Ki ||
A golden peacock crown shines, the gods long for darshan; flowers rain from the sky; the murchang and sweet mridang play with the gopis — the matchless love of the cowherd maidens.
जहाँ ते प्रकट भई गंगा, कलुष कलि हारिणि श्रीगंगा।
स्मरन ते होत मोह भंगा; बसी सिव सीस, जटा के बीच, हरै अघ कीच;
चरन छवि श्रीबनवारी की॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की॥
Jahan Te Prakat Bhai Ganga, Kalush Kali Harini Shriganga |
Smaran Te Hot Moh Bhanga; Basi Siv Sis, Jata Ke Bich, Harai Agh Kich;
Charan Chhavi Shribanvari Ki ||
Aarti Kunjabihari Ki, Shri Giridhar Krishnamurari Ki ||
The feet from which the holy Ganga, remover of the sins of Kali-yuga, came forth; by whose remembrance delusion breaks, which dwells in Shiva's locks and washes away the mire of sin — the beauty of the feet of Shri Banwari (Krishna).
चमकती उज्ज्वल तट रेनू, बज रही वृंदावन बेनू।
चहुँ दिसि गोपि ग्वाल धेनू; हँसत मृदु मंद, चाँदनी चंद, कटत भव फंद;
टेर सुन दीन भिखारी की॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की॥
Chamakti Ujjval Tat Renu, Baj Rahi Vrindavan Benu |
Chahun Disi Gopi Gval Dhenu; Hansat Mridu Mand, Chandani Chand, Katat Bhav Phand;
Ter Sun Din Bhikhari Ki ||
Aarti Kunjabihari Ki, Shri Giridhar Krishnamurari Ki ||
The bright sand of the (Yamuna) bank shines, the flute sounds in Vrindavan, gopis, cowherds and cows on all sides; a gentle smile, moonlight, the moon — the bonds of the world are cut; O Lord, hear the call of this humble beggar.
📿 Japa counter (mala of 108)
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📅 Next auspicious days (from our panchang)
29 Oct (Thursday)
5 Nov (Thursday) — Ekadashi
12 Nov (Thursday)
19 Nov (Thursday)
20 Nov (Friday) — Ekadashi
26 Nov (Thursday)
Dates are for Delhi sunrise; see today's panchang for your city.
🪔 How to chant / recite
Time: Morning shringar aarti and evening aarti; midnight on Janmashtami.
Method: Ghee lamp, tulsi and makhan-mishri bhog before Laddu Gopal/Krishna's picture.
Along with it: «Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya» or the «Hare Krishna» maha-mantra.
🛕 Puja vidhi (step by step)
🧺 Items needed
Picture of Bhagwan Vishnu / Shri Krishna / Satyanarayan
Yellow flowers and yellow cloth
Tulsi leaves (essential)
Sandalwood, akshata
Panchamrit, conch
Ghee lamp, incense
Banana, panjiri or yellow sweets as bhog
🪷 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 — 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 — 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).
Bathe the Lord with water from a conch (or sprinkle), offer yellow cloth, sandalwood and yellow flowers.
Always place a tulsi leaf on the bhog — by tradition Vishnu does not accept bhog without tulsi.
Chant «Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya» or recite Vishnu Sahasranama / Satyanarayan Katha.
Sing «Om Jai Jagdish Hare».
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.
⚠️ Rules & precautions
On Ekadashi grains (especially rice) are given up; tulsi is not plucked on Ekadashi — pluck a day earlier.
Thursday, Ekadashi and Purnima are special for Vishnu.
Sesame is offered instead of rice (akshata) in some traditions — a regional difference.
🌟 Benefits (as per tradition)
Devotion to Krishna and joy of the mind.
The conclusion of Janmashtami and Krishna puja.
These are traditional beliefs described in scriptures; results are understood to depend on faith, discipline and one's own actions.
