AARTI – AARTA

ਸੰਝੈ ਸੋਦਰੁ ਗਾਵਣਾ ਮਨ ਮੇਲੀ ਕਰਿ ਮੇਲਿ ਮਿਲੰਦੇ। ਰਾਤੀ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਸੋਹਿਲਾ, ਕਰਿ ਆਰਤੀ, ਪਰਸਾਦ ਵੰਡੰਦੇ।

Around sunset, in the evening, sing Sodar and heartily associate with one another. At night time, [recite] the Keerat (praises of the lord) Sohila, perform the Aarti (ceremony of waving lamps), [then] share/distribute the Parshad.

Aarti-Aarta is being carried out by the Nihang Singhs of Tarna Dal Misl Shaheedan, in the holy city of Anandpur Sahib at the majestic Gurdwara Shaheedi Bagh Sahib.

The Aarti –Aarta prayers shown in the video above appear on Pages 67 -103 in the Sandhyia Nitnem Gutka of Gurdwara Shaheedi Bagh Sahib.

According to Mukat Marag Granth Patshahi 10, the Maryada for doing Aarti of Guru Granth Sahib Ji was established (or at least first outlined in detail in a written text) by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Abachal Nagar (Hazur Sahib). Mukat Marag Granth prescribes 5 Shabads from Guru Granth Sahib Ji to accompany the Aarti ceremony (which is to be conducted with “Deeva Parkash ”–the lighting/presentation of lamps before Guru Granth Sahib Ji). Folios of a Puratan Mukat Marag Granth Patshahi 10 Manuscript (explaining the Maryada) are shown in the early part of the video above.

The Aarti-Aarta done by Tarna Dal Misl Shaheedan somewhat resembles how the prayer is done at Takht Patna Sahib, where it is done without the Shabad Kirtan and starts with the bani from Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This differs from the Aarti-Aarta of Budha Dal, which starts with the bani from Sri Dasam Granth Sahib first (similar to how the prayer is conducted at Takht Hazur Sahib).

Many of the Aarti Shabads from Sri Dasam Granth Sahib are also found within a manuscript called Aarti (shown in the video), preserved at SGPC ’s Sri Guru Ram Das Library in Amritsar (Under the manuscript accession number: 2713). The relevant folios of that manuscript appear in the video from about 8:56

Punjab Digital Library has digitized this manuscript (Link to the Manuscript ).

Gurdwara Shaheedi Bagh Sahib is pretty much the only major non-SGPC Ithihasic (historical) Gurdwara Sahib in Anandpur Sahib today and continues to maintain the Puratan Khalsa traditions/Maryada. It is also important to recognize that there are many smaller/non-historical Gurdwaras which too most likely maintain Puratan traditions/practices in Anandpur Sahib, but Gurdwara Shaheedi Bagh Sahib carries the distinction of being an Ithihasic Puratan Maryada Gurdwara Sahib, which is connected to historical events from the lifetime of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Current as of 2022, this historical shrine is managed by Tarna Dal Misl Shaheedan (a historically significant unit of the Nihangs) under the guidance of the revered Sant Baba Gurdev Singh Ji.

ਅਰ ਜੋ ਤਖਤ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਚਾਰੇ। ਫਡੇ ਵਡੇ ਜੋਈ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰੇ॥ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਦੇਖੀ। ਫਿਰ ਤੇਰੀ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਦੀ ਸੇਖੀ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਦਰਬਾਰ। ਹੋਇ ਆਰਤੀ ਥਾਲ ਮਝਾਰ॥

The Four Takhts* of the Khalsa, which are massive Gurdwaras. I have seen it (Aarti) be performed there. Then what can your wild claims do? In the Darbar (Harimandir Sahib) of Amritsar Ji, Aarti takes place inside on a platter.

(Gurmat Aarti Parbodh – Giani Ditt Singh – 1900 CE)

Sardar Sundar Singh Ramgarhia’s detailed account on the daily routine of Sri Harimandir Sahib (“Golden Temple”) in 1903 CE describes the Aarti ceremony taking place in the evening. The Aarti Kirtan still remains even today, but the ceremonial aspects of Aarti are now long gone. The regal ceremony of lit lamps being decorated on a platter, and then waved in front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji with respect and humility is no longer conducted at Harimandir Sahib.

At evening the Evening prayer (rahras) is begun by the musicians (rababis) and finished by the Granthi. This is succeeded by the ceremony of Arti, during which lighted lamps are waved before the Sacred Book, and this again is followed by a procession and singing of hymms round the shrine, known as chauki. Later on the Granthi again opens the book and reads a stanza; after which the prayer of rest (sohila) is sung, and the Book is taken back to the Akal Bunga with great solemnity.

(Guide to the Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple of Amritsar – Page 27 [By: Sardar Sundar Singh Ramgarhia – 1903 CE)

The original Puratan Maryada remains in the Takhts outside of Punjab (Patna Sahib and Hazur Sahib), where Chaur Sewa and the Dhup Deep Aarti Sewa of Guru Granth Sahib Ji still take place simultaneously at the Takht Sahibs and many of the Gurdwaras within their vicinity.