Automatic Aarti Machine – The Drum and Bell That Play Themselves

An automatic aarti machine is an electronic drum and bell unit that recreates the sound of a live aarti. Once switched on, a motor drives the drumstick and the bell striker in a steady, traditional rhythm, so the aarti sounds full and devotional every single time – at dawn, at dusk, and through every festival.

Temples use an aarti machine when trained drummers are not available for every puja, or to keep the beat steady through long ceremonies. Families use a compact aarti machine at home to bring the feel of a temple aarti into the puja room. Either way, the machine supports the ritual; it does not replace the devotion behind it.

One Machine, Many Names – Aarti Machine, Arti Machine, Melathalam & Kovil Melam

Depending on where you are in India, you may know this product by a different name:

• Aarti machine / arti machine – the most common name across India, used for temples and homes alike.
• Electronic or electric aarti machine – emphasises that it runs on power, not by hand.
• Melathalam machine – the Tamil name, from "melam" (drum ensemble) and "thalam" (rhythm/cymbal).
• Kovil melam machine – "kovil" means temple in Tamil; this is the temple-drum version.
• Temple drum bell machine / arti drum set / arti bell machine – descriptive names used by temple committees and suppliers.

In North Indian mandirs you will also hear "nagada aarti machine" or "ghanta machine" (आरती मशीन). Those versions use a nagada and ghanta; ours use a traditional drum (murasu) and bell. The purpose is the same: a steady, devotional rhythm for every aarti.

Aarti Machine Price & Model Comparison

Prices below are as listed on this page; always check the product card for the current offer.

How to Choose the Right Aarti Machine

Aarti machine for home and small puja rooms

For a home puja room or flat, the compact Puja Room Drum Bell or a 10" single drum is ideal. The sound fills a room without overpowering it, and the footprint fits on a shelf or the mandir base. Read our guide to choosing an aarti machine for home for placement and volume tips.

Aarti machine for temple halls

A 12" to 15" single drum suits most neighbourhood temples and mid-size halls. Choose 18" when the hall is larger or the machine is placed away from the sanctum.

Big size aarti machine for large temples and festivals

For large temples, open mandapams and festival processions, choose a 24" single drum or a double-drum model. Size the machine to the space, not the budget – an undersized drum sounds thin in a big hall.

Single drum vs double drum

A single-drum aarti machine covers most daily worship. A double-drum machine layers two drum tones for a fuller, festival-style melam – the closest feel to a live drum ensemble.

Why Temples and Homes Choose an Electronic Aarti Machine

• Consistent rhythm for every aarti, every day – no missed beats when drummers are unavailable.
• Traditional sound from a real drum and bell, not a recording played through a speaker.
• Built for daily use – sturdy frame and motor designed for temple routines.
• Sizes for every space – from a compact home unit to big-size and double-drum temple machines.
• Installation support across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, so your machine is set up correctly from day one.

Want to understand the mechanism first? See how an aarti machine works, and keep it running smoothly with our installation and maintenance guide.

Complete the Aarti Sound with an Electronic Sangu

The Raja Sangu Device is an electronic conch that sounds the sangu (shankh) at the start of aarti, controlled by remote. Pair it with any aarti machine for a complete, traditional opening.

Buying an Aarti Machine for a Temple Committee?

Ordering for a temple trust, a new temple, or more than one location? Call +91-7397735525 / +91-9381828314 or email info@rssonline.com for help choosing sizes, bulk orders and on-site installation in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Explore Related Temple & Puja Collections

• Temple bells
• Aarti items for puja
• Temple hundi / donation box
• Kuthu vilakku

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an aarti machine?

An aarti machine is an electronic drum and bell unit that plays the aarti rhythm automatically. A motor drives the drumstick and bell striker, giving a steady, traditional sound for daily puja in temples and homes. It is also known as an arti machine, melathalam machine or kovil melam machine.

What is the price of an aarti machine?

Our aarti machines start at ₹8,284 for the compact puja-room model. Single-drum machines range from ₹11,977 (10") to ₹31,223 (24"), and double-drum machines are ₹24,174 (10") and ₹35,374 (15"). See the product cards above for the latest offers.

Is an arti machine the same as a melathalam machine?

Yes. Aarti machine, arti machine, melathalam machine and kovil melam machine are different names for the same product: an automatic drum and bell machine used during aarti. The name changes by region and language.

Which aarti machine size is best for a temple?

For a small temple, a 10" to 12" single drum is usually enough. Mid-size halls suit 15" to 18". Large temples, open mandapams and festivals need a 24" single drum or a double-drum aarti machine.

Is there a small aarti machine for home use?

Yes. The Puja Room Drum Bell is a compact aarti machine for home mandirs and flats, and the 10" single drum suits larger home puja rooms.