Mahalaxmi Aarti (Kolhapur Ambabai)
श्री महालक्ष्मी अंबाबाई आरती
What is the Mahalaxmi Ambabai Aarti?
Ambabai Aarti The <b>Ambabai Aarti</b> is the traditional Marathi hymn sung to Goddess Mahalakshmi at the Kolhapur temple, praising her as Karveer Nivasini and the mother of the universe.
This is the Marathi aarti offered to Mahalakshmi, worshipped as Ambabai at her temple in Kolhapur, one of the ancient Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra. Its verses picture the goddess from head to feet: the saffron mark on her brow, her jewelled garments, her light that outshines the sun, and her eight-armed form. The composer signs the closing verse with the name Tryambak.
Ambabai Aarti Lyrics (English)
Roman transliteration for easy chanting. Tap “Meaning” under any verse for the English translation.
Sukh sadane shashi-vadane ambe mriganayani
Gajagamane sura-namane kolhasura-mathane
Suravara varshiti sumane karoni ya namane
Bhaya harane sukha karane sundara shiva-ramane
Meaning
The goddess is the home of happiness, her face soft as the moon and her eyes gentle like a doe's; she moves with an elephant's grace, is bowed to by the gods, and once destroyed the demon Kolhasura. The heavenly host rains flowers as they bow to her, for she takes away fear, grants joy, and delights the heart of Shiva.
Refrain
Jai Devi Jai Devi Jai ho Jai Ambe
Kolhapurchi swamini tuch ho Jagadambe
Jai Devi Jai Devi
Mrigamada mishrita keshara shobhate te bhali
Punchita kesha virajita muktatuna bhali
Ratna jadita sundara angi katoli
Chidghanacha gabha amba vendhali
Meaning
A saffron mark blended with musk shines upon her forehead, and pearls glimmer through her gathered hair. Her body is adorned with a beautiful gem-studded bodice, and the mother herself is the very core of pure consciousness.
Kanthi vilasata saguna mukta-suvisheshe
Pitambara sundara kasiyala kase
Kiti kiti kanchi dhani manjula bhasi
Padakamala lavanya amba shobhatase
Meaning
Rare pearls sparkle at her throat, and a lovely yellow silk is wrapped about her waist. Her girdle-bells sound soft and sweet, and the mother is radiant, her lotus feet full of loveliness.
Jhala jhala jhala jhalakati tanavane karani
Teja lopuna gele ravi shisha nija karani
Bramha harihara sakalita nenati tava karani
Adbhuta lila lihita na pure hi dharani
Meaning
Her form flashes with a shimmering brilliance, before which even the sun's rays fade and bow low. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva together cannot fathom her workings, and this whole earth is too small a page to record her wondrous play.
Ashtahi bhuja sundara bhasitasi shobha
Jhaga jhaga jhaga jhagita lavanya prabha
Magha magha magha magha maghita sumananchi shobha
Tryambaka madhura houni varnitase shobha
Meaning
Her eight arms make a beautiful sight, glowing with a dazzling grace, and the fragrance of flowers spreads all around her. The poet Tryambak, filled with sweetness, sings of this radiant splendour.
Meaning & Significance
This aarti belongs specifically to Ambabai of Kolhapur, the form of Mahalakshmi enshrined in the black-stone image at the Karveer temple. Rather than listing abstract titles, the verses move like a darshan, describing the goddess as a devotee would see her: the mark on her brow, the pearls in her hair, the yellow silk at her waist, the light around her, and her eight arms. The refrain fixes her identity plainly, calling her the mistress of Kolhapur and the mother of the world.
The hymn also carries the memory of the goddess as a protector who ended the demon Kolhasura, from whom the city of Kolhapur takes its name. By ending each round with the same refrain, singers return again and again to the idea that the same power the gods bow to is the approachable mother who removes fear and grants happiness.
How Do You Perform the Aarti?
- Face the image or a picture of Ambabai — and light a ghee or oil lamp along with a stick of incense before you begin.
- Offer kumkum, turmeric and flowers — as a mark of respect, since the aarti itself dwells on the goddess's ornaments and flowers.
- Hold the lit lamp in your right hand — and move it gently in clockwise circles before the deity as you sing.
- Sing the opening verse, then return to the refrain — after each numbered verse, keeping a steady rhythm as you would in the temple.
- Close by taking the aarti flame's warmth to your eyes — distribute prasad, and bow to seek the goddess's blessing.
What Are the Benefits of Singing This Aarti?
Devotees sing the Ambabai Aarti to feel close to Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur, especially when they cannot visit the temple in person.
- Connection to the Shakti Peetha: Reciting it links the singer to the sacred Kolhapur shrine and its long tradition of Devi worship.
- A focused, calming practice: Following the verse-by-verse description of the goddess settles the mind and steadies attention during worship.
- A prayer for protection: The aarti recalls Ambabai as the destroyer of Kolhasura, so it is sung to seek courage and freedom from fear.
- Ideal for Navratri: It is a natural choice for the nine nights of Navratri, when devotion to the Devi is at its peak.
- Passes on the tradition: Singing it as a family helps children learn the Marathi hymn and the story of Kolhapur's goddess.
Who Wrote This Aarti?
The aarti is a traditional Marathi composition whose closing verse carries the signature of a poet named Tryambak, following the old convention of naming the author in the final line. It has been sung for generations at the Kolhapur Mahalakshmi temple and in Maharashtrian homes, and no single fixed date of composition is recorded. Minor differences in spelling appear across printed and online versions, as is common with oral devotional texts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mahalaxmi Ambabai Aarti?
It is the traditional Marathi hymn sung to Goddess Mahalakshmi at the Kolhapur temple, praising her as Karveer Nivasini and the mother of the universe.
How is this different from the common Lakshmi aarti?
This is the temple-specific aarti for Ambabai of Kolhapur, with its own Marathi verses and the refrain naming the goddess as the mistress of Kolhapur, unlike the general Hindi Lakshmi aartis.
When is the Ambabai Aarti sung?
It is sung during daily temple worship and is especially popular through the nine nights of Navratri, when devotion to the Devi is at its height.
Who is Ambabai?
Ambabai is the form of Goddess Mahalakshmi worshipped at the Kolhapur temple in Maharashtra, honoured as one of the region's ancient Shakti Peethas.
What does the refrain mean?
The refrain hails the goddess as the ruler of Kolhapur and Jagadamba, the mother of the world, repeating this praise after every verse.
॥ जय देवी अंबाबाई ॥