5: Deity Worship
The articles used in an arati-ceremony
- Conch shell (to blow)
- A cup of fresh water and a spoon (acamana – for purification)
- Incense sticks (at least three)
- Ghee lamp (usually five wicks)
- Conch shell (for offering water) with a stand
- Container of water to be offered
- Cloth or handkerchief
- Small plate for flowers
- Lighter or matches (to light the ghee lamp)
- Whisk (camara)
- Bell
In the temple, offerings are made at regulated times each day, and should last for a specific amount of time. The following table shows the order in which the articles are used/offered and how they are used/offered. Each item offered is offered (items 3-9) from the ‘top down’ (i.e. starting from Krishna, then Radha, then Gaura, then Nitai, then parampara, and finally to the devotees) one after the other.
- Conch shell blown to announce the beginning of the ceremony
- Bell rung throughout
Incense: seven circles around the whole body - Ghee Lamp: four circles to the feet; two to the middle; three to the head; seven to the whole body
- Water: three circles to the head; seven to the whole body
- Cloth: seven circles around the whole body
- Flowers: seven circles around the whole body
- Whisk: seven waves to the whole body
- Peacock Fan: seven waves to the whole body (Summertime only)
- Conch: blown to announce the end of the ceremony
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