Goddess Durga is the symbol of Power or `Shakti` who fights against all the malign forces. Durga means `She who is difficult to reach`. Durga is also called by other names like Parvati, Ambika, Santoshi Mata or Maa Durga. Durga is ten-handed goddess who is destroyer of demons. Hindus worship her as a form of Shakti and she is especially very popular among Bengalis who adore her through an annual festival called Durga Puja. Durga Aarti is the elaborate process of worshipping devi durga whilst praising her beauty and valor.

The hymn of the Durga aarti is therefore an effort of praising and revering Durga Ma with its entire religiosity.
The Durga Aarti is as follows-
Jai Ambe Gauri maiya, jaa Shyama Gauri
Nishdin tumko dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivji,
Jai Ambe....
Mang sindur birajat, tiko mrigmadko,
ujjvalse dou naina, chandravadan niko,
Jai Ambe....
Kanak saman kalevar, raktambar raje,
Raktapushp galmala, kanthhar saje,
Jai Ambe....
Kehari vahan rajat, khadg khappar dhari
sur nar munijan sevat, tinke dukhahari,
Jai Ambe....
Kanan kundal shobhit, nasagre moti
Kotik chandra divakar, samrajat jyoti,
Jai Ambe....
Shumbh- nishumbh vidare, MahishaSur ghatia
Dhumra-vilochan naina, nishdin madmati
Jai Ambe....
Brahmani, Rudrani tum Kamala Rani,
Agam-nigam bakhani. turn Shiv patrani,
Jai Ambe....
Chaunsath yogini gavat, nritya karat Bhairon,
Bajat tab mridanga, aur bajat damru,
Jai Ambe...
Tum ho jag ki mata, tum hi ho bharta,
Bhaktan ki dukh harta, sukh sampati karta,
Jai Ambe....
Bhuja char ati shobhit, var mudra dhari,
Manvanchhit phal pavat, sevat nar nari,
Jai Ambe....
kanchan thal virajat, agaru kapur bati
Malketu men rajat, kotiratan jyoti,
Jai Ambe....

The devotee through this hymn praises goddess Durga or Parvati

Durga, is rich in maiden grace and is the object of daily meditation by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. There is mark of vermilion and musk on her forehead. She has beautiful eyes and her face is as beautiful as the moon. Devi Durga is wearing red attire with a tinge of gold and a garland of red blossoms as a necklace. Her vehicle Lion is a graceful animal that is perfectly in accordance with her majestic posture. The goddess holds a sword and a skull in her hands and she attends the gods, hermits, men and other devotees to drive away their griefs.

Goddess Durga is adorned with rings on ears and with pearls on the tip of the nose. Her glow looks as beautiful as that of myriad moons and suns. She is the destroyer of demon Mahish, and has torn apart the bodies of Shumbha, Nishumbha and Dhuumravilochana. From her eyes a frenzy of wrath is expressed everyday and night. She is the beloved companion of Brahma, Rudra and Vishnu. The Vedas and shashtras describe goddess Durga as consort of Lord Siva.

Sixty-four Yoginis chorus her glory and glorifies her and Shiva dances in tune with the accompaniment of sound of tambour and drum.

Devi Durga is the mother of the universe. She is almighty, sustainer of the world, reliever of her devotees` adversities and conferrer of their prosperity and happiness. The four arms of Durga have adorned her personality and the hand raised in benediction reveals her compassionate aspect. The men and women who wait for Goddess Durga and worship her have all their wishes fulfilled. In a golden platter aloe and camphor are decorated and lightened and the radiance of her forehead is reflecting the splendor of gems.