Āratī, prayer for forgiveness, and visarjana

Āratī (nīrājana) is waving a lit lamp or camphor before the deity while singing, usually near the end. The family then takes the warmth of the flame over their eyes and head.

Next comes a short prayer for forgiveness for anything missed. Finally, visarjana: the deity invited for the rite is respectfully bid farewell. For a permanent home image this is just a bow; for a temporary image or kalaśa, it may mean immersing or returning items to nature. Prasāda is then shared.

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