When you visit a temple, you must have seen priests performing aarti (ritualistic worship with lamps) to the deities many times. Have you noticed that the priest always rotates the lamp clockwise? Clockwise means rotating in the direction of the hands of a clock. According to astrology, performing aarti in a clockwise direction is not just a tradition, but there are scientific and spiritual reasons behind it. In fact, the movement of the lamp while performing aarti to God connects our prayers to the power of the universe and the dharma of nature. Let's learn in detail why aarti is rotated clockwise and how many times the plate should be rotated…

Following the Natural Order of Nature
The main reason for rotating the aarti clockwise is to follow the natural order of nature. The Earth rotates on its axis from west to east, causing the sun, planets, and stars to appear to rise in the east and set in the west. Following this natural order, the rotation of the aarti, the movement of clocks, and other traditional practices also rotate clockwise. By turning the aarti to the right, we align our worship with this cosmic movement; it's like moving with the rhythm of creation. If we turn it in the opposite direction, it is considered to be going against the flow of nature, which is believed to disrupt the flow of energy.

The Sanctity and Respect of the Right Side
In Hinduism, the right side is considered extremely sacred and important. Therefore, when we circumambulate the temple, we ensure that the sanctum sanctorum is on our right side. Priests use their right hand to offer prasad, flowers, and blessings to God. When the aarti is performed clockwise, the deity is always on our sacred right side. This symbolizes our unwavering devotion and respect towards God.

Creating a Cycle of Positive Energy
Aarti is not just the act of rotating the lamp; it is a powerful process. The flame of the aarti is believed to invoke divine energy in the sanctum sanctorum. When the priest rotates the lamp clockwise, that positive energy spreads evenly throughout the temple complex in a circular motion. When devotees place their hands over the flame and touch it to their eyes, they receive that divine energy and blessings. This process fills the atmosphere with positive energy.

How many times should the Aarti plate be rotated?
Perform the Aarti of God while standing in one place and slightly bowing. Rotate the Aarti plate clockwise. First, rotate it four times towards the feet of the deity, then twice towards the navel, and once towards the face. In total, the Aarti plate is rotated 14 times. It is believed that rotating the Aarti plate 14 times conveys your gratitude and reverence to God, who is present in all 14 realms.

Light as a symbol of spiritual growth
Light is a symbol of spiritual growth. Clock hands always move forward, indicating the passage of time. Similarly, the clockwise rotation of the Aarti is also a symbol of moving forward in life and spiritual development. The flame of the Aarti symbolizes the light that dispels darkness and the knowledge that dispels ignorance. This means that we pray to God to remove the negative forces within us and around us and, by rotating the flame clockwise, spread that light and knowledge in all directions.

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