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Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki is the famous evening aarti of Lord Krishna, worshipping him as Kunj Bihari (Banke Bihari), Giridhar and Murari. It is sung daily in Krishna temples, above all at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. The full lyrics are given below in both Hindi (Devanagari) and English. To hear it sung at the temples of Vrindavan, call or WhatsApp +91 7302265809.
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki is the most beloved aarti of Lord Krishna, sung each evening in temples across India and, most sacredly of all, at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, for Kunj Bihari, the one who plays in the groves, is Banke Bihari himself. To sing this aarti is to stand before the Lord as the lamps are raised and the bells ring. Here, from one born in Braj, are the full lyrics of the Krishna aarti in Hindi and English, with its meaning and where it is sung. Plan your visit with our Mathura Vrindavan tour packages.
Key takeaways
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki is the most beloved aarti of Lord Krishna.
Kunj Bihari, the one who plays in the groves, is Banke Bihari of Vrindavan.
It worships Krishna as Giridhar (who lifted Govardhan) and Murari (slayer of Mura).
It is sung each evening in Krishna temples across India, above all at Banke Bihari.
The full lyrics are given below in both Hindi and English.
It is a traditional devotional aarti, sung freely by all in worship.
I am Gurudutt, born in Gokul in the Mathura district, guiding pilgrims through Braj since 2018, more than 50,000 of them, and I have sung this aarti all my life. It is the very heart of Krishna's worship in Braj. Here are its full lyrics, in Hindi and in English, so you may sing along wherever you are, and a little about its meaning and where to hear it sung in Vrindavan.
About the aarti: Kunj Bihari is Banke Bihari
This aarti is addressed to Krishna as Kunj Bihari, a beautiful name meaning the one who wanders and plays in the kunj, the groves of Vrindavan, and this is none other than the beloved deity of the Banke Bihari temple. It praises him as Giridhar, who lifted the Govardhan hill, and Murari, the slayer of the demon Mura, and it paints his enchanting form: the garland of vaijayanti flowers, the sweet flute, the peacock-feather crown, Radha shining at his side, and the whole of Vrindavan alive with gopis, cows and song. It is a traditional aarti, sung by all in worship, and one of the most treasured in the Krishna tradition.
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki: Hindi Lyrics
The full lyrics of the aarti in Hindi (Devanagari):
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
गले में बैजंती माला, बजावै मुरली मधुर बाला । श्रवण में कुण्डल झलकाला, नंद के आनंद नंदलाला । गगन सम अंग कांति काली, राधिका चमक रही आली । लतन में ठाढ़े बनमाली, भ्रमर सी अलक, कस्तूरी तिलक, चंद्र सी झलक । ललित छवि श्यामा प्यारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
कनकमय मोर मुकुट बिलसै, देवता दरसन को तरसैं । गगन सों सुमन रासि बरसै । बजे मुरचंग, मधुर मिरदंग, ग्वालिन संग । अतुल रति गोप कुमारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की ॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
जहां ते प्रकट भई गंगा, सकल मन हारिणि श्री गंगा । स्मरन ते होत मोह भंगा । बसी शिव सीस, जटा के बीच, हरै अघ कीच । चरन छवि श्रीबनवारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की ॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
चमकती उज्ज्वल तट रेनू, बज रही वृंदावन बेनू । चहुं दिसि गोपि ग्वाल धेनू । हंसत मृदु मंद, चांदनी चंद, कटत भव फंद । टेर सुन दीन दुखारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की ॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥ |
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki: English Lyrics
The full lyrics of the aarti in English transliteration:
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari Ki ॥
Gale Mein Baijanti Mala, Bajave Murali Madhur Bala । Shravan Mein Kundal Jhalakala, Nand Ke Anand Nandlala । Gagan Sam Ang Kanti Kali, Radhika Chamak Rahi Aali । Latan Mein Thadhe Banamali, Bhramar Si Alak, Kasturi Tilak, Chandra Si Jhalak । Lalit Chavi Shyama Pyari Ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari Ki ॥
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari Ki ॥
Kanakmay Mor Mukut Bilse, Devata Darsan Ko Tarse । Gagan So Suman Raasi Barse । Baje Murchang, Madhur Mridang, Gwaalin Sang । Atul Rati Gop Kumari Ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari Ki ॥
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari Ki ॥
Jahaan Te Pragat Bhayi Ganga, Sakal Man Haarini Shri Ganga । Smaran Te Hot Moh Bhanga । Basi Shiv Shish, Jataa Ke Beech, Harei Agh Keech । Charan Chhavi Shri Banvaari Ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari Ki ॥
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari Ki ॥
Chamakati Ujjawal Tat Renu, Baj Rahi Vrindavan Benu । Chahu Disi Gopi Gwaal Dhenu । Hansat Mridu Mand, Chandani Chandra, Katat Bhav Phand । Ter Sun Deen Dukhari Ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari Ki ॥
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari Ki ॥ |
The meaning of the aarti
The aarti is a vision of Krishna in his full glory. It sings of the garland of vaijayanti flowers at his throat and the sweet flute at his lips; the earrings glinting in his ears; his dark, sky-hued form with Radha shining beside him among the creepers; his golden peacock-feather crown that even the gods long to behold; the mridang and the gopis dancing; and the sacred Ganga, born from his feet, that Shiva bears in his matted locks. It closes each verse begging the Lord to hear the cry of the poor and suffering. To sing it is to place the whole beauty and grace of Krishna before your eyes.
Where and when the aarti is sung
This aarti is sung each evening in Krishna temples across India, and most sacredly at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, whose deity is Kunj Bihari himself. It rings out too at the ISKCON temple, at Prem Mandir, and at temples through the town, and it blends beautifully with the Yamuna aarti at Kesi Ghat at dusk. To stand in a Vrindavan temple as the evening aarti is sung, the lamps circling and the whole gathering singing these words, is one of the most moving experiences in all of Braj. We can arrange your pooja and seva at the temples so you may take part.
Tips for singing and hearing the aarti
Learn the refrain first, 'Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari Ki', which returns after each verse.
Sing it at the evening aarti, the traditional time, with the lamps and bells.
Hear it at Banke Bihari in Vrindavan, the home of Kunj Bihari, for its truest setting.
Follow along in Hindi or English; both are given above.
Come a little early to the temple to find a place before the aarti begins.
Sing with devotion rather than perfection; the feeling is what matters.
The honest bit
Honest words from one born in Braj. This is a traditional devotional aarti, sung freely by all in worship, and there are small variations in the words from place to place and singer to singer, so do not worry if a temple's version differs a little from the text here; the devotion is the same. The lyrics above follow the widely-sung form. Famous singers have recorded beautiful renditions, but the aarti belongs to everyone and needs no recording to sing. Above all, the aarti is meant to be sung, not merely read: its power comes alive before the deity, with the lamps and the bells, so if you can, come and sing it at the temples of Vrindavan itself.
Why Experience My India is the right choice
I was born in Gokul in the Mathura district, and I take pilgrims to the evening aartis of Vrindavan every week. Guiding since 2018, more than 50,000 pilgrims, 4.5 stars on Google, WhatsApp first, 8 AM to 9 PM daily. We bring you to Banke Bihari and the temples at the right hour for the aarti, walk you in through the old lanes, arrange your seva, and tell you the meaning of the words and the deity before you, with no touts. One clear fare, and never a charge for free darshan.
Tip from Gurudutt: read the aarti once for its meaning, then let the book go and simply sing. Stand in the crowd at Banke Bihari as the evening aarti rises, the lamps circling before Kunj Bihari, and let the words carry you, for this aarti was made to be sung together, aloud, before the Lord. Sung that way, in his own temple in Vrindavan, Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki is not a text on a page but a doorway to his darshan.
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