- The 'Ghaleen Lotangan', which is said after the Aarti, expresses humility and complete surrender to God.
- The Marathi verse of this prayer is linked to the tradition of Saint Namdev, while the next part is of Sanskrit verses.
- Saying prayer after Aarti concludes Bhakti and expresses the sense of offering body, mind, speech, deeds to God.
In many homes and temples in Maharashtra, the prayer 'Ghaleen Lotangan Vandeen Charan' is said after the Aarti. Be it the Aarti of Ganpati or the worship of any other deity, the tradition of saying this prayer after the Aarti is widely seen. Interestingly, this is not just a prayer for Ganapati, but it expresses a sense of complete surrender to the Lord.
'What does Ghalin Lotangan mean??
'Lotangan' means prostration with the whole body. In the spirit of 'Ghaleen Lotangan, Vandeen Charan', the devotee expresses his desire to prostrate at the feet of God with complete humility. Further, this prayer expresses the feeling of seeing God's form with the eyes, embracing it with love, worshiping it with joy and waving it with devotion. So it shows not only praise but also the feeling of love between the devotee and God.
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Who exactly made this design??
It would not be correct to consider 'Ghaleen Lotangan' as the whole composition of one person. According to the available references the opening Marathi Abhang is associated with the tradition of Saint Namdev, while the following Sanskrit verses 'Tvameva mata cha pita Tvameva' and 'Kayen wacha manasendriyaairva…' are traditional. So the prayer we say together today is a confluence of various constructive traditions.
Why is it said only at the end of Aarti??
In Aarti we praise and worship God. Then in 'Ghaleen Lotangan' the devotee expresses the feeling of surrendering his body, mind, speech and deeds to the Lord. In 'Tvameva Mata Cha Pita Tvameva' God is said to be our mother, father, brother, friend and everything. It expresses the feeling of devoting all further actions to Narayana. Hence this prayer acts as a devotional conclusion after the Aarti.
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What is the religious and emotional significance of this??
The focus of this prayer is humility and surrender. While chanting this prayer collectively after the Aarti, the focus of the devotees is on the feet of God and their relationship with God. Therefore, Puja becomes not just a ritual but a moment of expressing faith, gratitude and surrender. This has given 'Ghaleen Lotangan' a special place in the devotional tradition of Maharashtra.