Annapurna Aarti (Bara Hi Vichitra Sunder)
बारा ही विचित्र सुन्दर
The aarti of Mother Annapurna — the form of Parvati who appeared in Kashi to feed Shiva himself when, in his role of beggar, he approached her with an empty bowl. Establishes the principle that the body cannot pursue jnana without anna (food), and that the giver of anna is the highest divinity. Sung in every Kashi household before any meal in the cooking month of Margashirsha.
Lyrics (Devanagari)
बारा ही विचित्र सुन्दर अन्नपूर्णे जय हो।
चन्द्र वदन गौर वरण कान्ति में जय हो॥
कनक कलश अमृत भरे हाथ लिये जय हो।
अन्न ब्रह्म स्वरूपिणी मात अन्नपूर्णे जय हो॥
काशी पुर अधिष्ठात्री विश्वनाथ प्यारी।
भुवनेश्वरी शम्भुजाया पाहि माँ हमारी॥
पंच रसना भोग धरे प्रथम तुम्ही पाई।
सुर मुनि नर ऋषि सब को तुमने ही जिमाई॥
जो जन तेरी आरती संध्या प्रात गावे।
अन्न धन सुख समृद्धि घर में सदा पावे॥
English Transliteration
Baara hi vichitra sundar Annapurne jai ho
Chandra vadan gaur varan kaanti mein jai ho
Kanak kalash amrit bhare haath liye jai ho
Anna Brahma swaroopini maat Annapurne jai ho
Kaashi pur adhishthatri Vishvanaath pyaari
Bhuvaneshwari Shambhujaaya paahi maa hamaari
Panch rasana bhog dhare pratham tumhi paayi
Sur muni nar rishi sab ko tumne hi jimaayi
Jo jan teri aarati sandhya praat gaave
Anna dhan sukh samriddhi ghar mein sada paave
Meaning
Victory to Annapurna, of supremely wondrous beauty, with a moon-like face and golden radiance. You hold in your hand the golden pot brimming with the nectar of food. Mother in the form of food-as-Brahman, victory to you. Presiding deity of Kashi, beloved of Vishvanatha, Bhuvaneshwari, consort of Shambhu — protect us. The five-flavoured bhog is laid out; you receive the first offering. Gods, sages, humans, rishis — all have been fed by you alone. Whoever sings your aarti at dawn and dusk shall forever have food, wealth, joy and prosperity in their home.
Book a related puja
Pujas where this aarti is traditionally sung.