श्री गंगा आरती
Origin & Story
Traditional Hindi devotional aarti · Traditional · Devotional era
Maa Ganga descended from the heavens to the earth through the matted locks of Lord Shiva, brought down by the penance of King Bhagiratha to liberate the sixty thousand sons of King Sagara. Revered as the holiest of rivers and the very embodiment of purity and salvation, her aarti is sung each evening at the great ghats amid lamps and bells, with the cry 'Har Har Gange.'
✦ As told in scripture
It is said a single drop of Ganga's water, or one sincere refuge at her feet, can wash away the sins of lifetimes and carry the soul beyond the fear of death. Each dusk at Haridwar and Varanasi, thousands gather as the lamps are raised and this aarti rises with the cry 'Har Har Gange.'
Listen & Chant Along
Complete Text with Meaning
नमामि गंगे तव पादपंकजम् सुरासुरैः वन्दित दिव्यरूपम् । भक्तिं मुक्तिं च ददासि नित्यं भावानुसारेण सदा नराणाम् ॥
Namami gamge tava padapamkajam surasuraih vandita divyarupam Bhaktim muktim cha dadasi nityam bhavanusarena sada naranam
Meaning:I bow to you, O Ganga; I bow to your lotus-feet, your divine form adored by gods and demons alike. Ever, according to their devotion, you grant to all people both devotion and liberation.
ॐ जय गंगे माता श्री जय गंगे माता । जो नर तुमको ध्याता मनवांछित फल पाता ॥
Om jaya gamge mata shri jaya gamge mata Jo nara tumako dhyata manavamchhita phala pata
Meaning:Om, victory to Mother Ganga, glory to Mother Ganga! Whoever meditates upon you obtains the fruit his heart desires.
चन्द्र-सी जोत तुम्हारी जल निर्मल आता । शरण पड़ें जो तेरी सो नर तर जाता ॥
Chandra-si jota tumhari jala nirmala ata Sharana pada़em jo teri so nara tara jata
Meaning:Your light is like the moon and your water flows pure and clear; whoever takes refuge in you, that person is carried across.
पुत्र सगर के तारे सब जग को ज्ञाता । कृपा दृष्टि तुम्हारी त्रिभुवन सुखदाता ॥
Putra sagara ke tare saba jaga ko jnata Kripa drishti tumhari tribhuvana sukhadata
Meaning:You delivered the sons of King Sagara and are the knower of all the world; your gracious glance is the giver of joy to the three worlds.
एक ही बार जो तेरी शरणागति आता । यम की त्रास मिटाकर परमगति पाता ॥
Eka hi bara jo teri sharanagati ata Yama ki trasa mitakara paramagati pata
Meaning:Whoever comes even once to take refuge in you — his terror of Yama (death) is destroyed and he attains the supreme state.
आरती मात तुम्हारी जो जन नित्य गाता । दास वही सहज में मुक्ति को पाता ॥
Arati mata tumhari jo jana nitya gata Dasa vahi sahaja mem mukti ko pata
Meaning:Whoever sings your aarti, O Mother, every day — that servant easily attains liberation.
Benefits of Chanting श्री गंगा आरती
Sung at the sacred ghats of the Ganga — Haridwar, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Prayagraj — and in homes, to invoke Maa Ganga's purifying grace.
Believed to wash away sins, grant inner purity and peace, and carry the devotee across the ocean of worldly existence.
Recited for the peace of departed ancestors (pitru) and for liberation (moksha), as Ganga is the river of salvation.
Especially powerful on Ganga Dussehra, Kartik Purnima, Makar Sankranti and during the Ganga aarti at the riverside.
How to Chant श्री गंगा आरती
Light a lamp (with ghee or camphor) and, holding it, perform the aarti by circling it before the deity while singing, ideally with a bell. Offer flowers and prasad, and conclude by taking the aarti's blessing (passing the hands over the flame and to the eyes). Sing with devotion and a clear heart.