Vitthal Aarti (Yuga Yuga Vari Ubha)
युगे युगे विटेवरी उभा
The signature Marathi abhanga-aarti of Vithoba of Pandharpur — composed in the Warkari sampradaya tradition tracing back to Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram and Sant Namdev (13th-17th c.). Sung as devotees raise their joined hands in the iconic kar-kateevari posture mirroring Vitthal himself standing on the brick. Pandharpur sees over 1 million pilgrims on Ashadhi Ekadashi alone, all singing this aarti as Lord Vitthal is bathed and adorned for darshan.
Lyrics (Devanagari)
युगे अठ्ठावीस विटेवरी उभा। वामांगी रखुमाई दिसे दिव्य शोभा॥
पुंडलिकाचे भेटी परब्रह्म आले गा। चरणी वाहे भीमा उद्धरी जगा॥
जय देव जय देव जय पांडुरंगा। रखुमाई वल्लभा राहिच्या वल्लभा पावे जिवलगा॥
तुळसी हार गळा कासे पीतांबर। आवडे निरंतर हेचि ध्यान॥
मकर कुंडले तळपती श्रवणी। कंठी कौस्तुभमणी विराजित॥
English Transliteration
Yuge atthaavees vitevari ubha | Vaamaangi Rakhumai dise divya shobha
Pundalikaache bheti Parabrahma aale ga | Charani vaahe Bheema uddhari jagaa
Jay dev jay dev jay Pandurangaa | Rakhumai-vallabhaa Rahichyaa vallabhaa paave jivalagaa
Tulasi haar galaa kaase peetaambar | Aavade nirantar hechi dhyaan
Makar kundale talapati shravani | Kanthi Kaustubha-mani viraajit
Meaning
For twenty-eight ages He has stood upon the brick — Rakhumai shining at His left in divine beauty. The Supreme Brahman came down to meet Pundalik; the Bheema (Chandrabhaga) river flows past His feet, redeeming the world. Victory, O Pandurang, beloved of Rakhumai and Rahi, our soul-companion. Tulsi garland on the neck, yellow silk at the waist — this is the form we love to meditate upon forever. Crocodile-shaped earrings glint at the ears; the Kaustubha jewel shines at the throat.
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Pujas where this aarti is traditionally sung.