Kirtan traditions

Every tradition has its own words, music and customs. Read what each one is and when families arrange it, then plan yours. New to kirtan? Start with what kirtan is.

ਸ਼ਬਦ ਕੀਰਤਨShabad KirtanShabad Kirtan is the devotional singing of shabads — sacred hymns composed by the Sikh Gurus and enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib.1–3 hours
ਅੰਤਿਮ ਅਰਦਾਸAntim ArdasAntim Ardas is the final congregational prayer and Shabad Kirtan offered during the last rites of a Sikh — a solemn, deeply moving ceremony that commends the departed soul to Waheguru and holds the grieving family in the embrace of the sangat.The Ardas itself takes 10–20 minutes
हरे कृष्ण कीर्तनHare Krishna KirtanHare Krishna Kirtan is the joyful, call-and-response chanting of the Maha Mantra — "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare." Rooted in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition and carried worldwide by Srila Prabhupada through ISKCON, this form of kirtan is considered both a path of bhakti-yoga and a direct invitation to Krishna's presence.Temple sessions typically run 30–90 minutes9 artists
कृष्ण कीर्तनKrishna KirtanKrishna Kirtan is the singing of devotional songs and kirtans that celebrate Krishna — his names, his forms, his divine leelas, and his eternal love with Radha.Krishna bhajan sandhyas typically run 1.5–3 hours
खाटू श्याम बाबा कीर्तनKhatu Shyam KirtanKhatu Shyam Kirtan is a devotional gathering of bhajans and kirtans in praise of Shyam Baba — Khatu Shyamji — a beloved deity whose shrine in Khatu, Rajasthan draws millions of devotees every year.Typically 2–4 hours as an evening program
श्रीमद् भागवत कथाBhagwat KathaBhagwat Katha is a sacred, multi-day journey through the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana — one of the most beloved scriptures of the Vaishnava tradition.Typically 2–3 hours per day over 5–7 days for a full Saptah
भक्तमाल कथाBhaktmal KathaBhaktmal Katha is a narration of the lives, devotion, and miracles of India's greatest saints and bhaktas — as preserved in the Bhaktamāl, a Braj-language poem composed by Nabhadas in the 16th century.Can be a single 2–3 hour session or part of a multi-day series
श्री राम कथाShri Ram KathaShri Ram Katha is a multi-day narrative journey through the life of Lord Rama — his birth at Ayodhya, his years of exile, the search for Sita, the battle at Lanka, and his triumphant return.Typically 2–3 hours per day over 5–7 days for a full Katha
सुन्दरकाण्ड पाठSunderkand PathSunderkand Path is the ceremonial recitation of the Sundar Kand — the fifth chapter of the Ramcharitmanas — which narrates Hanuman's extraordinary journey to Lanka in search of Mata Sita.Full Sunderkand Path with associated rituals typically takes 2–3 hours
बालाजी कीर्तनBalaji KirtanBalaji Kirtan is a devotional evening of bhajans, kirtans, and prayers in honour of Hanuman-ji as Balaji — the protector, the remover of obstacles, and the greatest devotee of Lord Rama.Typically 2–4 hours as an evening programme
माता की भेंटेंMata Ki BhenteMata Ki Bhente are devotional songs offered to the Divine Mother — heartfelt musical offerings (bhente means "offering") that praise her forms, her glory, and her boundless grace.Mata Ki Bhente are typically performed within a Chowki or Jagran (2–4 hours for a Chowki, overnight for a Jagran)
माता की चौकीMata Ki ChowkiMata Ki Chowki is a concentrated 2–4 hour evening of devotion to the Divine Mother — bhajans, Mata ki bhente, puja, and closing aarti, held in a spirit of love and reverence.Generally 2–4 hours in the evening, from around 7–8 pm until 10–11 pm
माता का जागरणJagranJagran — literally "to stay awake" — is an all-night devotional vigil of bhajans, Mata ki bhente, puja, and sometimes jhankis (tableaux) in honour of the Divine Mother.Typically runs 6–10 hours overnight, usually from 9–10 pm until early morning aarti at dawn
शिव संध्याShiv SandhyaShiv Sandhya is an evening of devotion to Lord Shiva — bhajans, Shiv Chalisa, Amritwani, and the chanting of Om Namah Shivaya, offered in love to the destroyer of ego and the giver of liberation.Typically 1.5–3 hours in the evening
साई संध्याSai SandhyaSai Sandhya is an evening devotional program of Sai bhajans, kirtan, and the sharing of Sai's leelas (miracle-stories) — a gathering that carries the particular warmth of Sai Baba's own spirit.Usually 2–3 hours in the evening, structured around bhajans, aarti, and sharing
गुरु जी कीर्तनGuru Ji KirtanGuru Ji Kirtan is a devotional gathering of bhajans, mantra-jaap, and sometimes Shabad-style hymns offered in honour of a revered Guru — a spiritual master whose teachings have become the north star for a community of devotees.Typically 2–3 hours in the evening, combining kirtan with satsang sharing
भजन संध्याBhajan SandhyaBhajan Sandhya — literally "an evening of devotion" — is a gathering where devotional songs are sung together, accompanied by harmonium, dholak, and manjira.Typically 2–3 hours
कीर्तनNot sure which one?Tell us the occasion. We’ll suggest the tradition and the artist.Plan your kirtan