Worshipping with the Arati ceremony

The following letter by Srila Prabhupada describes a full arati, and it is not difficult to do. It should be accompanied by kirtan. However, if you can offer any of these things at regular times, even just the incense in the morning, while chanting Hare Krishna, that is accepted by Nitai-Gaura.

1: Srila Prabhupada describes a simple arati ceremony
	"Each offering is made by moving it in 7 big circles, starting at the lotus feet of the Lord, and going clockwise round. First of all, burning camphor or ghee (5 fires if possible) is offered in this way, slowly circling them before the Lord. With left hand bell is being rung, and with right hand the offerings are made by circling. Next burning dhup is offered. Then water is offered in a conchshell. Then a nice handkerchief is offered. Then a nice flower, as a rose. Then the Deities are offered a fan, nice peacock feather fan. And the last is the blowing of the conchshell three times." Srila Prabhupada letter to Hayagriva, 18th November, 1968

First the conch shell is blown three times.
Incense is offered four times to the feet, three times to the waist and seven times to the whole body.
The ghee lamp is offered Four times to the lotus feet, three times to the waist, three times to the face and seven times to the whole body.
Then water is offered seven times above the head.
A clean handkerchief is offered as above.
Fragrant flowers are offered four times to the lotus feet.
The peacock fan is offered (four times up and down).
The chamra (yak-tail fan) is offered as above.
Finally, the conch shell is blown three times.

2: Offering arati through the guru-parampara:

"So far your question regarding Deity worship, during arati everything should be offered first to the guru."
Srila Prabhupada letter to Giriraj, 28th May 1972

There should be a picture of your spiritual master or Srila Prabhupada if you have not yet taken shelter of one, for you to first offer the items, so you are offering them to Nitai-Gaura through the chain of disciplic succession.

3: How to purify yourself - Achaman

The little pot with the spoon is used in a ceremony called achaman before arati (and offering bhoga) as a purifier as follows:

Put a drop of water, with the spoon in your left hand, on your right hand to clean it and discard the water. Take a fresh drop from the pot and put it on your right hand, sprinkle another drop from the pot onto your hand, and then a third and final drop. Then chant "Om kesavaya namah" and sip the water from your right hand trying not to touch your hand with your lips (quite a feat!). Take another drop to clean your right hand and discard the water. Now take drops three times from the pot onto your right hand as before, chant "Om narayana namah" and sip the water as before. Another drop of water to clean, discard it, three more drops, chant "Om madhavaya namah", a sip and a final clean completes the purifying ceremony of achaman.

Three drops of water can be sprinkled on the various arati items, including the bell, for purification before offering.