Which Ganesh Aarti Should You Sing First? Correct Sequence, Lyrics and Meaning

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with prayers, offerings, devotional songs and the joyful chant of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.” Among these rituals, aarti holds a special place. It is usually performed after the main puja while a lit lamp is moved in a circular motion before Lord Ganesha.

However, many devotees have a common question: Which Ganesh aarti should be sung first? Should you begin with “Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva” or “Sukhkarta Dukhharta”? Is there one correct sequence for every household?

The simple answer is that the order depends on regional and family traditions. Maharashtra follows a familiar Ganpati aarti sequence, while most North Indian homes begin with “Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva.” This guide explains the commonly followed orders, complete lyrics, meanings and the right way to perform Ganesh aarti at home.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Date and Puja Time

Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Monday, 14 September 2026. The Chaturthi Tithi is expected to begin at 7:06 AM on 14 September and end at 7:44 AM on 15 September.

For Delhi, the commonly reported Madhyahna Ganesh Puja Muhurat is from 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM. Puja timings change according to location, so devotees should check their city’s local Panchang before finalising the time.

The festival traditionally concludes with Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi. Families may also perform visarjan after one-and-a-half, three, five or seven days according to their customs.

ALSO READ : Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Date, Shubh Muhurat, Puja Vidhi and Visarjan

Which Ganesh Aarti Should Be Sung First?

There is no single compulsory aarti order followed across every region of India. The first aarti usually depends on the language, community and tradition of the family performing the puja.

In North Indian households

“Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva” is generally sung as the principal Ganesh aarti. If other deities are worshipped during the same puja, their aartis may be performed afterwards.

Many families conclude with a general prayer or “Om Jai Jagdish Hare,” but this is a customary choice rather than a universal rule.

In Maharashtrian households

The commonly followed sequence begins with:

1. Sukhkarta Dukhharta

2. Shendur Lal Chadhayo

3. Aartis dedicated to other deities, depending on family tradition

4. Ghalin Lotangan as the concluding prayer

5. Mantrapushpanjali and traditional Ganpati chants in many homes and pandals

Some families follow a shorter or longer sequence. Therefore, the family’s established tradition may be followed where one exists.

Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti Lyrics

जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा।
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥

एकदंत दयावंत, चार भुजाधारी।
माथे पर तिलक सोहे, मूसे की सवारी॥
पान चढ़े, फूल चढ़े और चढ़े मेवा।
लड्डुअन का भोग लगे, संत करें सेवा॥

जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा।
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥

अंधन को आंख देत, कोढ़िन को काया।
बांझन को पुत्र देत, निर्धन को माया॥
सूर श्याम शरण आए, सफल कीजे सेवा।
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥

जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा।
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥

Note: The wording of traditional aartis can vary slightly between regions and family prayer books.

Meaning of Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti

The aarti praises Lord Ganesha as the compassionate son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. It describes his single tusk, four arms, sacred tilak and mouse as his vehicle. Devotees offer flowers, betel leaves, sweets and laddus while asking for his grace.

The later verses express faith in Ganesha’s ability to help people facing suffering and hardship. These lines are devotional expressions of surrender and hope. They present Lord Ganesha as Vighnaharta—the remover of obstacles—and seek his blessings for wellbeing and fulfilment.

Sukhkarta Dukhharta Aarti Lyrics

सुखकर्ता दुखहर्ता वार्ता विघ्नाची।
नुरवी पुरवी प्रेम कृपा जयाची।
सर्वांगी सुंदर उटी शेंदुराची।
कंठी झळके माळ मुक्ताफळांची॥१॥

जय देव जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ती।
दर्शनमात्रे मनकामना पुरती॥धृ॥

रत्नखचित फरा तुज गौरीकुमरा।
चंदनाची उटी कुंकुमकेशरा।
हिरेजडित मुकुट शोभतो बरा।
रुणझुणती नूपुरे चरणी घागरिया॥२॥

जय देव जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ती।
दर्शनमात्रे मनकामना पुरती॥

लंबोदर पीतांबर फणिवरबंधना।
सरळ सोंड वक्रतुंड त्रिनयना।
दास रामाचा वाट पाहे सदना।
संकटी पावावे निर्वाणी रक्षावे सुरवरवंदना॥३॥

जय देव जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ती।
दर्शनमात्रे मनकामना पुरती॥

Meaning of Sukhkarta Dukhharta

“Sukhkarta Dukhharta” describes Lord Ganesha as the giver of happiness and the remover of sorrow and obstacles. The verses praise his vermilion-covered form, pearl necklace, jewelled crown, yellow garments and divine appearance.

The devotee asks Ganesha to arrive during difficult times, offer protection and bless the household. The repeated refrain expresses the belief that seeing the auspicious form of Lord Ganesha fills the heart with faith and hope.

The Marathi aarti is traditionally associated with the 17th-century saint Samarth Ramdas and remains central to Ganesh worship in Maharashtra.

What Are Shendur Lal Chadhayo and Ghalin Lotangan?

Shendur Lal Chadhayo

“Shendur Lal Chadhayo” praises Lord Ganesha’s vermilion-adorned form and invokes him as the giver of wisdom, prosperity and protection. In many Maharashtrian celebrations, it is sung immediately after “Sukhkarta Dukhharta.”

Ghalin Lotangan

“Ghalin Lotangan” is a prayer of complete surrender. Its verses combine Marathi and Sanskrit devotional lines and are commonly sung towards the end of the aarti sequence.

It is not exclusively a Ganesh aarti, but it is widely used to conclude Ganpati worship.

How to Perform Ganesh Aarti at Home

Ganesh aarti can be performed simply and respectfully at home. The exact ritual may differ according to family tradition.

1. Clean the puja area: Place the Ganesh murti or image on a clean and stable platform.

2. Prepare the offerings: Keep flowers, durva grass, fruits, modak or laddus and water ready.

3. Complete the main puja: Offer tilak, flowers, durva and naivedya before beginning the aarti.

4. Light the lamp: Use a diya with ghee or oil and keep it securely on the aarti plate.

5. Sing the aarti: Begin with the Ganesh aarti followed in your family or region.

6. Offer the flame: Move the aarti plate gently in clockwise circles before the deity.

7. Conclude with prayer: Bow respectfully, pray for wisdom and good beginnings, and distribute prasad.

Always handle the flame carefully, keep children supervised and never leave a burning diya unattended.

When Should Ganesh Aarti Be Performed?

During Ganeshotsav, many families perform aarti in the morning and evening. It is also performed after Ganpati sthapana and before visarjan.

The most important consideration is to complete it after the puja and offerings, at a time when the family can participate with attention and devotion.

If a household cannot perform aarti twice daily, it may choose one suitable time according to its tradition and routine. Devotion and consistency are considered more important than making the ritual unnecessarily complicated.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Ganesh Aarti

• Do not place the lit aarti plate near curtains, paper decorations or other flammable objects.

• Avoid rushing through the words only to complete the ritual.

• Do not insist that one regional sequence is correct for every family.

• Check the lyrics before the puja, as traditional versions may contain unfamiliar Marathi, Hindi or Sanskrit words.

• Offer fresh and clean prasad and maintain cleanliness around the puja area.

• Avoid leaving the diya or incense unattended after the prayer.

Why Is Aarti Important During Ganesh Chaturthi?

Aarti brings the puja to a devotional conclusion. The light offered before the deity symbolically represents reverence, awareness and the removal of darkness. Collective singing also brings family and community members together during the festival.

For devotees, Ganesh aarti is an opportunity to express gratitude and seek wisdom before starting something new. It is also a reminder that Lord Ganesha’s qualities—clear thinking, patience and the ability to overcome obstacles—can be practised in everyday life.

Conclusion

The first Ganesh aarti depends on the tradition you follow. North Indian households commonly begin with “Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva,” while Maharashtrian worship generally starts with “Sukhkarta Dukhharta” and often concludes with “Ghalin Lotangan.” Neither custom needs to be treated as less authentic than the other.

If your family has an established sequence, continue following it. If you are performing Ganesh aarti for the first time, select the version you understand and can sing respectfully.

More than the number or order of aartis, the heart of the ritual lies in devotion, attention and gratitude.