आरती कुंजबिहारी की
This beloved Krishna aarti is sung at all Vaishnava temples, especially in Vrindavan, Mathura, and Dwarka. "Kunj Bihari" means "he who sports in the groves" — referring to Krishna's divine play (lila) in the forests of Vrindavan with the gopis (cowherd girls). This aarti captures Krishna's enchanting form that captivates even the gods.
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
गले में बैजन्ती माला, बजावत मुरली मधुर बाला ।
श्रवण में कुण्डल झलकाला, नन्द के आनन्द नन्दलाला ।
গগणm सम अंग कान्ति काली, राधिका चमक रही आली ।
लतन में ठाड़े बनमाली ।
भ्रमर-सी अलक, कस्तूरी तिलक, चन्द्र-सी झलक,
ललित छवि श्यामा प्यारी की ।
श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की ॥
कनकमय मोर मुकुट बिलसै, देवता दर्शन को तरसै ।
গগব को मन लुभावन को, चन्द्र सो बदन विलासत है ।
अरुण अधर मधुर मुसकानी, मोर मुकुट की श्रेणी मनमानी ।
कृष्ण भक्त जन कल्याणी की ।
श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की ॥
कमल नयन जो छवि सुहानी, भक्तन के मन भाई ।
निरखत दृग उघड़त न आनी, चमचमात वस्त्र पीत ।
मुरली मधुर बजावत राधा-श्याम ।
श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की ॥
Aarti Kunjabihaari ki, Shri Giridhar Krishna Muraari ki.
Gale mein Baijanti maala, baajavat murali madhur baala,
Shravan mein kundal jhalakaala, Nand ke aanand Nandalala.
Gagan sam ang kaanti kaali, Radhika chamak rahi aali,
Latan mein thaade Banmaali.
Bhramar-si alak, kastooree tilak, Chandra-si jhalak,
Lalit chavi shyaama pyaari ki.
Shri Giridhar Krishna Muraari ki.
Aarti Kunjabihaari ki.
Kanakamay mor mukut bilasai, devata darshan ko tarasai,
Chandra so badan vilasat hai,
Arun adhar madhur muskaani, mor mukut ki shreni manmaani,
Krishna bhakta jan kalyaani ki.
Shri Giridhar Krishna Muraari ki.
Aarti Kunjabihaari ki.
Kamal nayan jo chhavi suhaani, bhaktan ke man bhaai,
Nirakhat drig ughadhat na aani, chamchamaat vastr peet.
Murali madhur baajaaavat Raadha-Shyaam.
Shri Giridhar Krishna Muraari ki.
Aarti Kunjabihaari ki.
Aarti of Kunjabihari (Krishna who roams the groves), of Shri Giridhar (lifter of Govardhan) Krishna Murari!
Around the neck hangs the Vaijayanti garland, the enchanting youth plays his sweet flute,
Earrings sparkle in his ears; he is Nandalala, the joy of Nanda.
His dark body-lustre is like the sky; Radhika shines brilliantly beside him,
The garland-wearer (Banmali) stands amidst the creepers.
His curls are like black bees, a musk tilak adorns his brow, moon-like is his glow,
He is the graceful beauty of the dark-complexioned beloved.
His peacock-feather crown of gold dazzles; even the gods long to behold him,
His moon-like face delights all,
His lips are rosy with a sweet smile; the peacock-feather crown pleases the mind,
He is the welfare of Krishna's devotees.
His lotus-eyes show a charming beauty that pleases devotees' hearts,
When the eyes behold it, they do not wish to open again.
His yellow garments shimmer;
Radha-Shyam plays the sweet flute.
यशोमती नन्दन, ब्रजचन्द्र शेखर, यमुना तट विहारी ।
गोपी वल्लभ कृपाकर, नटवर नागरी ॥
Yashodan's son, moon of Braj, sporter on the banks of Yamuna,
Beloved of the gopis, the merciful one, the divine dancer of Natwar.
Krishna's aarti is sung during the eight daily worship services (Ashta Prahar Seva) in Vaishnava temples — each time the deity is dressed, offered food, put to rest, and awakened. In Vrindavan tradition, the most important aartis are Mangal Aarti (before dawn), Rajbhog Aarti (noon), and Shayan Aarti (evening).
Best time: Janmashtami (Krishna's birth, Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami), Ekadashi, and the month of Kartik. Also every evening during evening lamp ritual.
Offerings: Tulsi (basil) leaves — most sacred to Krishna — butter, milk, yellow flowers, yellow sweets (khichdi, peda), and Panchamrit.