Ganesh Chaturthi is here, and at every pooja, you’re going to see camphor being burned in the end. What’s the story behind burning camphor in Ganpati aarti, and what is its significance? Let’s find out.
Camphor has a lot of significance in Hindu mythology, including esoteric, religious, and philosophical, and it is also mentioned in our Vedas and Agama Shastras as a divine substance. So, let us first look at camphor’s significance from a philosophical viewpoint.
Camphor’s Philosophy
According to Hindu mythology, burning camphor is a divine reminder to god that has a lot of symbolic value. In Hinduism, the burning of camphor is symbolic of human life. Here, the burning camphor does not leave any residue or trace. Similarly, the human must also leave no remnants. However, it leaves a lingering, smooth smell once it’s burnt, and just like that, humans should also leave nothing but good memories.
When you burn camphor during an aarti, you are praying to god, saying, “Make me like kapoor, so I can give light when I am alive, and leave nothing but good memories when I die.”
Camphor in Agama Shastras
During a pooja, you pray to Archavathara, the deity, and during Ganesh Chaturthi, it is Ganpati. And during the prayer, you request him to visit you and be with you during the pooja, and at the end, bless you.
While doing this pooja, you offer him 16 Upacharas. For example, you offer water for washing his feet (Shodopachara), the same for washing his feet (Paadyam Samarpayami), a seat (Asanam Samarpayami), some food (Naivedyam), and so on. These 16 Upacharas conclude with Karpura Niranjanam.
Karpura Niranjanam is camphor, which is the finale and is similar to offering gold to the god. Here, the Stotram that you usually sing translates to: “Here’s a pure burning camphor, please enable me to enjoy the benefits of this aarti, and if I have made any mistakes, please forgive me.”
In other words, camphor is used during Karpura NIranjanam to ask for blessings during the pooja and forgiveness for any mistakes you may have, knowingly or unknowingly, made during the pooja.
Camphor’s Cleansing
Another reason burning camphor is used during Ganpati pooja is that, as per the Vedas, camphor’s fragrance pleases god, and its radiance merges with him. That is, with camphor, Ganpati feels welcomed and happy and is more likely to bless those present at the pooja. Additionally, when the radiance merges with him, it radiates positive energies within the home, purifying the surroundings and detoxifying your body.
Now that you know the significance of camphor during Ganpati pooja, you should also know that you can only enjoy the benefits of the pooja if the camphor is pure. Impure camphor does not burn properly, has a pungent odour, and can be bad for your health. Always choose 100% pure and organic camphor; always choose Mangalam camphor. Order yours now.
