What is this priest using?

[Vinayaka]

Right... that's is the new one I just got. It's very nice, it's light to hold and doesn't make a mess. The one that made a mess is the first one I got. I don't have a picture of that. I've used camphor, and have quite a few of the little tablets. But it does make a lot of smoke. I only use it occasionally, mostly for scenting up the house. Husband though I had an open jar of Vicks® VapoRub™.



I patterned mine from the nightly Mangala Aarti at temple. Given that there are people from all over, and it's a Vishnu temple, I'm not surprised. However, the Sri Venkateshwara aarti is more elaborate. I can't make out what the mantras are. But they use several deepas... one is the regular single puja deepa...

This one...

and one that looks like a brass jar, single flame at the top which makes a lot of smoke, may be camphor.

I have one of those too. It gets used for the minor aarati in the puja. The other one is just for final aarati.

 

[Jainarayan]

Like Vinayaka said, there should not be any problem with small wick and less oil. These are not for many artis which take a long time. For that your scheme is OK. Note what he said - the wicks hang out.

Yes, it took all of 6-7 minutes, maybe less. Only as long as the song and the other prayers. I used the round wicks, next time I'll use the regular wicks. They only have to be about an inch, or less. Maybe 1/2". Trial and error.

 

[Jainarayan]

I have one of those too. It gets used for the minor aarati in the puja. The other one is just for final aarati.

That's pretty much what I settled on. I wonder where I got the inspiration!?

 

[Jainarayan]

and one that looks like a brass jar, single flame at the top which makes a lot of smoke, may be camphor.

Like this, with a single wick at the top. The priests hold it with two hands.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Now, what is that? I have never seen it.

 

[Vinayaka]

Like this, with a single wick at the top. The priests hold it with two hands.

I'll ask a priest here. It's waved in the 'telling the deity we're going on parade' portion of the processions, when they happen. There is a series of things waved, like mini-brass umbrellas, flags, fans, and various differing aarti lamps.

 

[Aupmanyav]

A small 'kumbham'? (pitcher to hold water for rituals or water to be sprinkled where the Deity will walk to clean the path).

 

[Vinayaka]

A small 'kumbham'? (pitcher to hold water for rituals or water to be sprinkled where the Deity will walk to clean the path).

It's an oil lamp, but it might well be the symbolic brass one of a kumbham.

 

[Jainarayan]

I'll ask a priest here. It's waved in the 'telling the deity we're going on parade' portion of the processions, when they happen. There is a series of things waved, like mini-brass umbrellas, flags, fans, and various differing aarti lamps.

Thanks. I know the simple answer to these questions is to just ask a priest, but given the language barrier... well, y'know.

 

[Vinayaka]

Thanks. I know the simple answer to these questions is to just ask a priest, but given the language barrier... well, y'know.

Finally got around to asking him. It's called a kumbhadeepam, and indeed represents all the kumbhas around at festival times

 

[Jainarayan]

Finally got around to asking him. It's called a kumbhadeepam, and indeed represents all the kumbhas around at festival times

Thank you!