How do I teach my child to do aarti at home?
Start small: let your child watch, then ring the bell, then sing one line with you. Add the diya only when they are old enough, with you holding it. A short, joyful daily aarti, even one verse, builds the habit better than a perfect long one.
What is aarti, in simple words?
Aarti is a short prayer of light and song. A lit diya is moved in a circle before the deity while the family sings, to say thank you and show respect. Children usually grasp it as "we sing and show our love with light."
One well-known aarti is Om Jai Jagdish Hare, sung in many homes and temples across India. Its first line is:
ॐ जय जगदीश हरे, स्वामी जय जगदीश हरे
The iOS app is live. Sing aartis with your child, with lyrics and meaning. Download Pratham Pranam on the App Store. The Android app is coming soon.
We share only a line here. Find the full words in a trusted aarti book or in the app.
Step 1: Choose a calm time and a small corner
Pick a regular time, such as evening or before dinner, and a clean spot near your family's pictures or murtis. Sit together on the floor. Switch off the TV first.
Step 2: Let a toddler join with a bell or clap (ages 2 to 3)
A toddler can ring a small bell, clap, or fold hands. Do not expect words. Being there is the lesson.
Step 3: Sing one line, again and again (ages 3 to 5)
Sing the first line slowly, then pause and let your child echo it. Do this for a week or two before adding a second line. Short and repeated works best.
Step 4: Explain it in a sentence or two
After singing, say what it means: "We are saying thank you to God, who is like a light that looks after everyone." Keep it simple and warm, and answer questions honestly, including "I'm not sure, let's ask Dadi."
Step 5: Add the diya safely (ages 5 and up)
- A grown-up always holds and lights the diya.
- Keep it away from clothes, curtains and hair, and on a steady plate.
- An older child can hold the empty aarti plate or ring the bell while you move the diya.
- Use a battery diya for younger children if you prefer; the feeling of the aarti is what matters.
- Keep water or a damp cloth nearby, and never leave a lit diya unattended.
Step 6: End with a quiet moment
Finish with folded hands and a "thank you" for something from the day. Many families then take a little prasad together.
A simple weekly plan
| Week | What the child does |
|---|---|
| 1 | Watches, rings the bell |
| 2 | Sings the first line with you |
| 3 | Sings two lines, learns what they mean |
| 4 | Joins the full family aarti |
Questions parents ask
Does my child need to know Sanskrit or Hindi?
No. Sing in whatever you are comfortable with and add the original line by line. See why family stories and prayers matter.
What if we forget a day?
Just start again tomorrow, with no scolding. Joy matters more than perfection.
Is it fine to do aarti if we live abroad?
Yes. See teaching Hindu culture outside India.
Which other prayers can we add?
A bhojan mantra before meals is a good next step: Bhojan mantra for kids.
Hear it on Pratham Pranam
Hear Om Jai Jagdish Hare and other traditional aartis, with sing-along lyrics and their meaning, in the Aartis section of Pratham Pranam.