जय अम्बे गौरी

When to sing: Every morning and evening of Navratri, on Tuesdays and Fridays, and at the end of any Durga or Devi puja.

About Jai Ambe Gauri

No sound says Navratri quite like a whole family singing Jai Ambe Gauri as the aarti thali circles the goddess. It is the aarti of Maa Durga as Ambe, the Mother: sung at dawn and dusk through the nine nights, on Tuesdays and Fridays, and at the close of the Durga Saptashati.

The aarti describes the goddess from head to foot: sindoor in her parting, eyes bright as the moon, a golden body in red silk, riding a lion with sword and bowl in hand. Then it remembers her victories over Shumbha and Nishumbha, Mahishasura, Chanda and Munda, Raktabeej and Madhu and Kaitabh, and ends by calling her the mother and sustainer of the whole world.

Meaning of the aarti, verse by verse

Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya jai Shyama Gauri: Victory to you, Mother Ambe, the fair one and the dark one. Tumko nishdin dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivari: Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva meditate on you day and night.

Maang sindoor virajat, tiko mrigmad ko: Sindoor shines in your hair-parting and a musk tilak on your forehead. Ujjwal se dou naina, chandravadan neeko: Your two eyes are radiant and your moon-like face is lovely.

Kanak samaan kalevar, raktambar raajai: Your body shines like gold, dressed in red. Raktapushp gal mala: a garland of red flowers adorns your neck.

Kehari vahan raajat, khadag khappar dhaari: You ride the lion, holding a sword and a bowl. Sur-nar-muni-jan sevat, tinke dukhhaari: Gods, people and sages serve you, and you remove their sorrows.

Kaanan kundal shobhit, naasagre moti: Earrings shine in your ears and a pearl at your nose. Kotik chandra divakar, sam raajat jyoti: your light equals crores of moons and suns.

Shumbh-Nishumbh bidaare, Mahishasur ghaati: You tore apart Shumbha and Nishumbha and slew Mahishasura. Dhoomra vilochan naina: you destroyed Dhumralochana (the smoke-eyed demon), and are ever joyful.

Chand-Mund sanhaare, shonit beej hare: You killed Chanda and Munda and destroyed Raktabeej. Madhu-Kaitabh dou maare, sur bhayheen kare: You slew Madhu and Kaitabh and freed the gods from fear.

Brahmani, Rudrani, tum Kamala Rani: You are Brahmani, Rudrani, and Lakshmi herself. Aagam nigam bakhaani, tum Shiv patrani: The scriptures praise you as Shiva’s queen.

Chaunsath yogini mangal gaavat, nritya karat Bhairon: The sixty-four yoginis sing your praises and Bhairav dances, baajat taal mridanga, aru baajat damroo: to cymbals, drums and the damru.

Tum hi jag ki mata, tum hi ho bharta: You alone are the mother of the world and its sustainer. Bhaktan ki dukh harta, sukh sampati karta: You take away your devotees’ sorrow and give happiness and prosperity.

Bhuja chaar ati shobhit, var mudra dhaari: Your four arms are beautiful, one raised in blessing. Manvanchhit phal paavat, sevat nar naari: Men and women who serve you receive what their hearts desire.

Kanchan thaal virajat, agar kapoor baati: The golden aarti plate holds incense, camphor and wicks, Shrimalketu mein raajat, koti ratan jyoti: and its light shines like a crore of jewels.

Shri Ambeji ki aarti, jo koi nar gaavai: Whoever sings this aarti of Mother Ambe, kahat Shivanand Swami, sukh-sampati paavai: says Swami Shivanand, receives happiness and prosperity.

When and how to sing it

Sing it standing at the end of your Devi puja, while one person circles the aarti thali with a ghee diya or camphor clockwise before the goddess. Through Sharad Navratri (11 to 20 October 2026) it is sung every morning and evening, after the day’s puja of that night’s form: start with Maa Shailaputri on day 1. After the aarti, offer flowers, take the aarti’s warmth with both hands over the eyes, and share the prasad.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote the Jai Ambe Gauri aarti?

The last verse names its poet, "Kahat Shivanand Swami", so the aarti is traditionally credited to Swami Shivanand. It is sung across North and West India as the main aarti of Goddess Durga (Ambe Maa).

When should Jai Ambe Gauri be sung?

It is sung at the morning and evening puja on all nine days of Navratri, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at the end of Durga Saptashati path and at the close of any Devi puja. In 2026, Sharad Navratri runs from 11 to 20 October.

Is Jai Ambe Gauri the same as the Durga aarti?

Yes. "Jai Ambe Gauri" is the best-known Durga aarti, addressed to the Mother Goddess as Ambe (mother), Gauri (the fair one) and Shyama (the dark one). Other popular Devi aartis include "Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali".