Om Jai Gange Mata
The majestic aarti of Goddess Ganga, the sacred river who purifies all who touch Her waters.
About Om Jai Gange Mata
Om Jai Gange Mata is the aarti of the holy river Ganga, personified as a goddess in the Hindu tradition. The Ganga is considered the most sacred river in India — a direct manifestation of divine grace that descended from heaven to earth at the prayers of King Bhagiratha to liberate his ancestors. The river flows from the Himalayas through the plains to the Bay of Bengal, sanctifying all whom she touches.
The evening Ganga aarti at Varanasi (Dashashwamedh Ghat), Haridwar, and Rishikesh is one of the most spectacular and moving religious spectacles in the world — young priests in synchronized movements wave large flames before the river as thousands of pilgrims watch from the ghats and oil-lamp-laden leaf boats float on the dark waters.
This aarti praises the Ganga for her purifying power, her ability to liberate the dead, and her role in sustaining the civilizations of the Indian subcontinent. Ganga Dussehra in Jyeshtha month (May-June) is the most sacred festival of Ganga worship.
Best Time to Perform
Evening Ganga aarti (especially at Varanasi, Haridwar, Rishikesh)
Occasion
Ganga Dussehra
Aarti Lyrics
Lyrics (Devanagari)
ॐ जय गंगे माता, श्री जय गंगे माता। जो नर तुमको ध्याता, मनवांछित फल पाता॥
Transliteration
Om jai Gange mata, Shri jai Gange mata. Jo nar tumko dhyata, manwanchhit phal pata.
Meaning
O glory to Mother Ganga, glory to the holy Mother Ganga. Whoever meditates on You receives the fruits of their heart's desires.
Lyrics (Devanagari)
चन्द्र सी जोत तुम्हारी, जल निर्मल आता। शरण पड़े जो तेरी, सो नर तर जाता॥
Transliteration
Chandr si jot tumhari, jal nirmal aata. Sharan pade jo teri, so nar tar jaata.
Meaning
Your light is like the moon, and Your waters are pure and clear. Whoever takes refuge in You crosses safely over the ocean of worldly existence.
Lyrics (Devanagari)
पुत्र सगर के तारे, सब जग को त्राता। कृपा दृष्टि हो तुम्हारी, त्रिभुवन सुखदाता॥
Transliteration
Putra Sagar ke tare, sab jag ko trata. Kripa drishti ho tumhari, tribhuvan sukhdaata.
Meaning
You liberated the sons of King Sagara and are the savior of all the world. When Your merciful gaze falls on someone, joy comes to all three worlds.
Lyrics (Devanagari)
एक बार जो प्राणी, शरण तेरी आता। यमदूत से भयभीत, नहीं वो हो जाता॥
Transliteration
Ek baar jo prani, sharan teri aata. Yamdoot se bhaybhit, nahi vo ho jaata.
Meaning
The soul that takes refuge in You even once becomes free from the fear of Yama's messengers (the fear of death's judgment).
Lyrics (Devanagari)
हरिद्वार प्रयागादि, सब तीर्थ बसाता। जय जय माँ गंगे, सबकी पाप नसाता॥
Transliteration
Haridwar Prayagaadi, sab teerth basaata. Jai jai maan Gange, sabki paap nasaata.
Meaning
You reside at Haridwar, Prayaga, and all other holy pilgrimage sites. Victory, victory to Mother Ganga, who destroys the sins of all.
Spiritual Benefits
- ✓Purifies the body, mind, and soul of accumulated sins through devotional singing
- ✓Bestows liberation (moksha) to the departed ancestors and the devotee themselves
- ✓Protects devotees from fear and the cycle of repeated death and rebirth
- ✓Grants fulfillment of sincere worldly and spiritual wishes
- ✓Creates deep inner purification and a feeling of divine presence