What is Gaura-ārati?

 Gaura-ārati is the evening worship of Lord Chaitanya Mahāprabhu (Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu) — usually performed at sunset in Hare Krishna temples and Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava temples.

It is based on the famous Bhajan:

“Jaya jaya gorā-cānda āraṭikā śobhā”
(by Śrī Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura)

 In this song, devotees glorify the beautiful form and qualities of Lord Chaitanya, as He stands in Navadvīpa performing sankīrtana (congregational chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa).

 

Sri Gaura Ārati
 

(1)

(kiba) jaya jaya gorācānder āratiko śobhā

jāhnavī-taṭa-vane jaga-mana-lobhā

jaga-jana-mana-lobhā

(gaurāṅger ārotik śobhā jaga-jana-mana-lobhā)

All glories, all glories to the beautiful ārati ceremony of Lord Chaitanya! This Gaura-ārati is being performed in a grove on the bank of the Jahnavi (Ganges) and is attracting the minds of all living entities in the universe.

(2)

dakhiṇe nitāicānd, bāme gadādhara

nikaṭe adwaita, śrīnivāsa chatra-dhara

Lord Chaitanya has sat down on a jeweled throne, and the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, perform the aarti ceremony

(3)

bosiyāche gorācānd ratna-siṁhāsane

ārati koren brahmā-ādi deva-gaṇe

 

Lord Chaitanya has sat down on a jeweled throne, and the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, perform the aarti ceremony

(4)

narahari-ādi kori’ cāmara dhulāya

sañjaya-mukunda-bāsu-ghoṣ-ādi gāya

 

Narahari Sarakar and other associates of Lord Chaitanya fan Him with chamaras, and devotees headed by Sanjaya Pandita, Mukunda Datta, and Vasu Ghosa sing sweet kirtan.

(5)

śaṅkha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje bāje karatāla

madhura mṛdaṅga bāje parama rasāla

(śankha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje

madhur madhur madhur bāje)

 

Conchshells, bells, and karatalas resound, and the mridangas play very sweetly. This kirtana music is supremely sweet and relishable to hear.

 

(6)

bahu-koṭi candra jini’ vadana ujjvala

gala-deśe bana-mālā kore jhalamala

 

The brilliance of Lord Chaitanya's face conquers millions upon millions of moons, and the garland of forest flowers around His neck shines.

(7)

śiva-śuka-nārada preme gada-gada

bhakativinoda dekhe gorāra sampada

 

Lord Shiva, Sukadeva Gosvami, and Narada Muni are all there, and their voices are choked with the ecstasy of transcendental love. Thus Thakura Bhaktivinoda envisions the glory of Lord Sri Chaitanya.