aarti
|aa-ra-ti|
/ˈɑːrti/
offering light to deity
Etymology
'aarti' originates from Hindi, specifically the word 'ārāti' (आरती), where the element 'ārā' is related to 'removing/away' and 'rātri' meant 'night' (so the compound carries the sense of 'dispelling night/darkness').
'aarti' changed from the Sanskrit word 'ārātrika' (and related Prakrit forms), entered North Indian vernaculars as 'ārāti'/'ārāṭī', and was adopted into English via Hindi/Urdu during 18th–19th century cultural and colonial contact.
Initially it referred to the idea of 'removal of darkness' (literally dispelling night); over time the meaning specialized to the ritual act of offering light in devotional worship and the associated song or lamp.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a Hindu ritual of worship in which light from wicks soaked in ghee or oil is offered to one or more deities.
Every evening the temple performs the aarti at sunset.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the song or hymn (bhajan) sung during the offering of light in the ritual.
The priest led the congregation in the aarti, everyone joining the refrain.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/03 00:28