Physically Aarti is the ritual of waving the divas in a circular motion before Gods image. There are several underlying sentiments of Aarti:
One is that the divas illuminate the whole of the Lords body with light so that devotees can do darshan of the whole body.
The second sentiment is that devotees can lovingly welcome Bhagwan during Aarti, by offering him the Panch Bhutas – five elements which together form Aarti. These are:- pruthvi – earth, jal – water, tej – light, vayu – wind, akash – space.
A special prayer composed by Muktanand Swami, is sung accompanied with instruments. When Muktanand Swami realised that Lord Swaminarayan was almighty God supreme, he spontaneously composed the Aarti.
A third element of Aarti is that just as the wicks of the Aarti burn away to provide light, devotees are inspired to offer their life to serve Bhagwan and mankind, and thereby attain enlightenment.
The person performing the Aarti must be physically and mentally clean. In Shikharbandh mandirs, Aarti is performed five times a day:
Mangal Aarti performed before sunrise
- Shangar Aarti is performed after God has adorned his clothes
- Rajbhog Aarti is performed after the noon offering of food
- Sandhya Aarti is performed at dusk after sunset
- Shayan Aarti is performed before God rest for the night