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Walk into many temples during the evening aarti today and you will hear a drum and bell keeping perfect time – sometimes with no drummer in sight. That steady rhythm often comes from an aarti machine, a simple but clever device that plays the drum and bell automatically. In this guide we explain what an aarti machine is, how an aarti machine works step by step, the main parts inside it, and the different types you will come across.

What is an aarti machine?

An aarti machine is an electronic, motor-driven unit that strikes a real drum and a real bell in a fixed devotional rhythm. It is switched on at the start of aarti and keeps playing until it is switched off, giving the ritual a full, live sound without needing a person to play each beat.

Because it is used across India, the same device goes by many names. People search for it as an arti machine, an automatic aarti machine, an electronic aarti machine or an arti bell machine. In Tamil Nadu it is widely called a melathalam machine or kovil melam machine, while in many North Indian mandirs you will hear of a nagada aarti machine or ghanta machine. The design details change from region to region, but the job is the same: to keep the aarti rhythm steady and devotional.

Why aarti needs rhythm in the first place

In Hindu worship, aarti is the moment of offering light to the deity, usually at dawn and dusk and during festivals. Sound is part of that offering. The bell (ghanta) is traditionally rung to invite divine presence and to clear the mind of distraction, the conch (sangu or shankh) announces the start of the ritual, and drums give the ceremony its pulse.

In large temples, trained musicians play the nadaswaram, thavil and melam. Smaller temples, village shrines and homes rarely have a drummer available twice a day, every day. The aarti machine grew out of that practical need: it lets every temple, however small, keep the sound of aarti alive.

How does an aarti machine work?

At its heart, an aarti machine turns electrical power into a repeating mechanical motion. Here is what happens when you switch it on.

Step 1: Power reaches the motor

The machine plugs into a power point. When switched on, electricity runs a small motor housed inside the base or control box. The motor is the "musician" of the machine – everything else follows its movement.

Step 2: The motor drives the drumstick

A cam, crank or lever connected to the motor converts the motor's spinning into an up-and-down striking motion. Each turn lifts the drumstick and lets it fall onto the drum head, producing a beat. Because the motor turns at a steady speed, the beats arrive at a steady tempo.

Step 3: The bell striker follows the same rhythm

A second linkage moves a striker or clapper against the bell. On most machines the drum and bell are timed to work together, so the bell rings between or alongside the drum beats – the familiar "dum-ting" pattern of a temple aarti.

Step 4: The frame and drum shape the sound

The drum size decides how deep and loud the sound is. A small 10-inch drum gives a crisp sound suited to a room, while a 24-inch or double-drum machine produces a deep, rolling sound that can fill a temple hall. A rigid metal frame keeps everything aligned so the strikes land in the same spot every time.

Step 5: Switch off when the aarti ends

The machine plays for as long as it is on. The priest or volunteer simply switches it off when the aarti is complete.

The main parts of an aarti machine

• Drum (murasu / nagada): the main sound source. Sizes typically range from 10 to 24 inches; larger drums give a deeper sound.

• Bell (ghanta): usually brass, mounted so the striker hits it cleanly.

• Cymbal (thalam): some models include a small cymbal for a brighter, more festive sound.

• Drumstick and bell striker: the moving parts that create each beat.

• Motor and drive mechanism: the cam or crank system that converts rotation into strikes.

• Frame and base: a sturdy stand that holds the drum, bell and motor in position.

• Switch and power cable: for turning the machine on and off safely.

Types of aarti machines

Single drum aarti machine

The most common type. One drum and a bell play together, which is enough for daily worship in homes and most temples.

Double drum aarti machine

Two drums tuned to different tones play together, creating a layered, festival-style melam that sounds closer to a live drum ensemble. These are popular for large temples and utsavams.

Compact or mini aarti machine

Small units made for home puja rooms and apartments, with a bell and cymbal on a compact motor box.

Nagada-style aarti machines

Common in North India, these use a nagada (kettle drum) and a large ghanta. They work on the same principle – a motor driving strikers – but have a different sound and look.

Add-ons: the electronic sangu

Some temples pair their machine with an electronic conch (sangu) that sounds the opening call of the aarti, completing the traditional sequence.

Aarti machine vs playing recorded aarti music

Many people ask why a temple would use a machine instead of simply playing aarti music through a speaker. The difference is in the sound itself. A recording is a reproduction; an aarti machine strikes a real drum and a real bell in the room. The sound has natural resonance, it fills the space the way a live drum does, and it blends with the priest's chanting and the devotees' voices. For many families and temple trustees, that live quality is what makes it feel like a true aarti rather than background music.

Is it acceptable to use a machine for aarti?

This is a fair question, and the answer depends on each family's and temple's tradition. Most temples see the aarti machine as support rather than a replacement: when musicians are available for festivals, they play; on ordinary days, the machine ensures the aarti never goes without its rhythm. The devotion, the lamp and the prayer remain entirely human. The machine simply makes sure the sound of worship is present every single day.

What to look for when choosing one

If you are now thinking of getting an aarti machine, the key decisions are size (match the drum to the space), single or double drum (daily worship or festival sound), and support (who will install and service it). Once you have chosen, our installation and maintenance guide explains how to set it up and keep it sounding its best for years.

In summary

An aarti machine is a motor-driven drum and bell that keeps the rhythm of aarti steady and traditional. Inside, a motor drives a drumstick and a bell striker through a simple mechanism, while the drum size shapes the sound. Whether you call it an arti machine, melathalam or kovil melam machine, it helps temples and homes keep the sound of devotion alive at every aarti.

Explore our full range of automatic arti machines, from compact home units to double-drum temple models.

 FAQs

Q1. Does an aarti machine use a real drum or a recording?

A traditional aarti machine uses a real drum and a real bell. A motor moves the drumstick and bell striker, so the sound is live and natural, not a recording played through a speaker.

Q2. What is the difference between a nagada aarti machine and a melathalam machine?

Both play aarti rhythm automatically. A nagada aarti machine, common in North India, uses a nagada (kettle drum) and ghanta. A melathalam machine, common in South India, uses a traditional drum (murasu), bell and sometimes a cymbal, giving a melam-style sound.

Q3. Why do aarti machines come in different drum sizes?

Drum size controls how deep and loud the sound is. Smaller drums (10–12 inches) suit homes and small shrines, while larger drums (18–24 inches) and double-drum models are made to fill big temple halls.

Q4. Does an aarti machine need a technician to operate?

No. Once installed, it is operated with a simple switch. A technician is only needed for installation and periodic servicing.

Q5. What does "arti bell machine" mean?

"Arti bell machine" is another name for an aarti machine, usually referring to the bell-striking part of the unit. Most machines play both the bell and the drum together.