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Aarti to Goddess Ganga

Ganga Aarti (Om Jai Gange Mata)

ॐ जय गंगे माता

The signature aarti of Mother Ganga — sung at the twilight Ganga Aarti ceremony at every major Ganga-side ghat. Tradition holds the river descended from Vishnu's feet through Shiva's matted locks to purify the ashes of King Bhagiratha's ancestors. Each devotee dips a leaf-boat lamp into her current as the aarti reaches its climax.

6 minAt sandhya (twilight) along the Ganga ghats — most famously Dashashwamedh Ghat (Varanasi), Har Ki Pauri (Haridwar), Triveni Ghat (Rishikesh), and Assi Ghat (Varanasi). Performed daily by Ganga Seva Nidhi pandits with massive brass lamps, conch, bells and Sanskrit chants.

Lyrics (Devanagari)

ॐ जय गंगे माता, श्री जय गंगे माता।

जो नर तुमको ध्याता, मनवांछित फल पाता॥

चन्द्र-सी ज्योति तुम्हारी, जल निर्मल आता।

शरण पड़े जो तेरी, सो नर तर जाता॥

पुत्र सगर के तारे, सब झगड़े बिसरे।

कृपा दृष्टि तुम्हारी, त्रिभुवन में न्यारी॥

एक ही बार जो तेरी, शरणागत आता।

यम की त्रास मिटाकर, परमगति को पाता॥

आरती मातु तुम्हारी, जो नर नित गाता।

हर हर गंगे बोले, सो वैकुण्ठ सिधाता॥

English Transliteration

Om Jai Gange Mata, Shri Jai Gange Mata

Jo nar tumko dhyaata, manvaanchhit phal paata

Chandra-si jyoti tumhaari, jal nirmal aata

Sharan pade jo teri, so nar tar jaata

Putra Sagar ke taare, sab jhagde bisre

Kripa drishti tumhaari, tribhuvan mein nyaari

Ek hi baar jo teri, sharanaagat aata

Yam ki traas mitaakar, paramgati ko paata

Aarti maatu tumhaari, jo nar nit gaata

Har Har Gange bole, so Vaikunth sidhaata

Meaning

Victory to Mother Ganga. Whoever meditates upon you receives every desired fruit. Your radiance is like the moon, your waters ever pure. Whoever takes your refuge — that one crosses over. You liberated the sixty thousand sons of Sagara; your grace alone is unique in the three worlds. Even a single surrender to you removes the fear of Yama and grants the supreme state. Whoever sings this aarti daily, crying "Har Har Gange", attains Vaikuntha.

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