How to Choose an Aarti: Types, Sizes and What Suits Your Puja
How to choose an aarti depends on where it will be used, how many wicks you prefer, and the metal it is made from. A small brass aarti is suitable for most home shrines, while larger forms are often chosen for temples, festivals and community worship where the lamp needs to be visible to more people.
Updated July 2026
What is an aarti (and how is it different from a diya)?
An aarti is the handled lamp used during the aarti ritual, while a diya or deepak is the lamp placed in the shrine and left burning. Understanding this difference helps when choosing the right puja item.
Although both hold oil or ghee and cotton wicks, they serve different purposes during worship. An aarti has a handle that allows it to be comfortably held and moved in circular motions before the deity during the ritual. Depending on its design, it may have one wick or several arranged together.
A diya or deepak, by contrast, is intended to remain in one place. It is usually lit before the deity or around the home temple and allowed to burn as part of daily worship or festive decoration. In many homes both are used together: the diya remains lit in the shrine, while the aarti is used during the prayer before being set aside.
Common types of aarti
The different types of aarti are designed for different occasions and traditions. The choice usually depends on the style of worship, the setting and the number of wicks required.
Panch Aarti
The Panch Aarti is among the most recognised forms of aarti. It features five wick holders, creating a bright and balanced flame during the ritual.
In many homes it is brought out for festivals, family celebrations and special pujas. Temples also commonly use the Panch Aarti for regular worship because its multiple flames are clearly visible during the ceremony. For many buyers, it is the classic choice when they picture a traditional brass aarti for puja.
Ganesh Aarti
The Ganesh Aarti is identified by decorative elements featuring Lord Ganesha. While its basic function remains the same as other handled aartis, its design makes it especially popular during Ganesh-related celebrations and daily household worship.
Many families also choose it simply because they appreciate its traditional appearance throughout the year.
Kapoor Aarti
The Kapoor Aarti is a smaller lamp designed specifically for burning camphor (kapoor). Because camphor burns quickly and leaves very little residue, it is commonly used for short daily rituals.
Its compact size also makes it convenient for smaller home temples where space is limited. For many households performing daily prayers, this becomes the most frequently used aarti.
Ganga Aarti
The Ganga Aarti is recognised by its taller, lighter form and graceful appearance. It is commonly associated with the large river-ghat ceremonies seen in several parts of India.
Similar designs are also used during temple events and community celebrations where the lamp is held high and remains visible to larger gatherings. Although inspired by public ceremonies, smaller versions are also made for devotional use at home.
Dhoopia
A Dhoopia is not an aarti lamp but an important companion during the ritual. It is designed to hold dhoop or incense, allowing fragrant smoke to accompany the prayers.
In many homes a Dhoopia is used alongside the aarti as part of the complete puja arrangement. Larger Dhoopias are also commonly seen in temples and community prayer halls, where they suit longer rituals and larger spaces.
How to choose an aarti by size
The right size depends on where the aarti will be used and how comfortable it is to hold. Smaller sizes suit daily home worship, while larger sizes are better suited to temples, festivals and community gatherings. Aartis are generally available in numbered sizes, giving buyers options for different requirements.
For a home shrine, a smaller handled aarti is often the most practical choice. It is comfortable to hold with one hand, easy to store and suitable for daily use. As the size increases, the lamp usually accommodates more wicks and produces a brighter flame, which is why larger aartis are preferred for temples, larger prayer halls and festive occasions where the light needs to be seen from a distance.
There is also a balance to consider. A larger aarti may burn longer and create a more prominent flame, but it also becomes heavier to hold throughout the full ritual. Shopkeepers often advise buyers to consider who will regularly perform the aarti and whether the lamp will be used every day or only on special occasions.
Families putting together an aarti thali for home often pair it with a compact aarti that is easy to use alongside other everyday puja items — the pooja thali essentials guide covers what commonly goes on the thali.
Choosing the metal
Brass remains the traditional and most widely chosen metal for an aarti because it handles heat well, has the familiar warm golden appearance associated with worship and can serve families for generations. Copper is also preferred in some traditions for specific religious practices.
If you would like a broader comparison between the traditional metals, see the guide on brass vs bronze, which explains their differences and typical uses in greater detail.
Which aarti should you choose?
The best aarti depends on how and where it will be used. Matching the design to the occasion makes everyday worship more comfortable while ensuring larger ceremonies have the right presence.
| Occasion | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| Daily home puja | Kapoor Aarti or a small Ganesh Aarti — comfortable to hold and well suited to compact home shrines |
| Festival and Diwali puja | Panch Aarti, whose five flames create the traditional festive appearance many families associate with important occasions |
| Temple or community use | A larger Panch Aarti or Ganga Aarti, suited to bigger spaces where the lamp should remain clearly visible |
| Gifting and wedding trousseau | Ganesh Aarti, whose decorative appearance and traditional symbolism suit wedding gifts and festive hampers |
| A first set for a new home | A brass Panch Aarti with a matching diya or deepak, covering both daily worship and festival occasions |
Caring for your aarti
Because an aarti is regularly exposed to flame, soot and camphor, it benefits from more frequent cleaning than many other puja articles.
After each use, allow the lamp to cool before wiping away soot, oil or camphor residue with a soft cloth. Cleaning before major festivals helps restore its appearance and keeps the lamp ready for regular worship.
The brass care guide sets out recommended cleaning methods for brass puja articles and other traditional metalware.
Choosing the right aarti for your home
Choosing the right aarti is ultimately about matching the lamp to the way it will be used. Daily household worship, festive gatherings and temple ceremonies each have different requirements, and understanding the available designs helps buyers select an option that suits both tradition and practicality.
HV Metals offers a wide range of aarti, deepak and puja metalware in brass and copper across multiple sizes, supplied to the trade across India. Retailers and dealers can explore the range or enquire as a dealer to know more.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between an aarti and a diya?
- An aarti is the handled lamp used during the ritual and moved before the deity, while a diya or deepak is placed in the shrine and left burning. In many homes both are used together as part of the same puja, but they serve different purposes during worship.
- Which aarti is best for home puja?
- For most homes, a small brass Kapoor Aarti or Ganesh Aarti is a practical choice for daily worship, as both are light and easy to hold. A Panch Aarti is often preferred for festivals and special occasions, when a brighter, multi-wick lamp is traditionally brought out.
- What is a Panch Aarti?
- A Panch Aarti is an aarti lamp with five wick holders. It is one of the most recognised traditional forms and is widely used in homes and temples for festivals, family ceremonies and regular aarti because of its balanced, bright flame that stays clearly visible during the ceremony.
- Which metal is best for an aarti?
- Brass is generally the preferred choice for an aarti because it withstands regular heat well, has the warm golden appearance traditionally associated with puja and remains suitable for long-term household use. Copper is also chosen in some traditions for particular religious practices.
- What size aarti should I buy?
- Choose a smaller aarti if it will be used daily in a home shrine, as it is lighter and easier to hold. Larger sizes are better suited to temples, community halls and festival ceremonies, where the lamp should be visible to a larger gathering and may hold more wicks.
HV Metals
Brass, copper, stainless steel and bronze metalware, supplied to the trade across India since 1960.