Significance of Diyas in Indian Culture
Hearing of Diyas we quickly correlate to diwali as millions of them are lit on this auspicious day. Significance of diyas in Indian culture is such that they are being lit in morning & evening prayers everyday in homes & temples.
An auspicious program is incomplete without lighting of diyas. Lighting a lamp has deep spiritual significance. All ceremonies, daily worship rituals, auspicious functions, religious occasions as well as new ventures start with lightning of the lamp.
Light from the lamp destroys ignorance, brings wealth, health & prosperity & bestows us with knowledge. A Diya signifies goodness, goodluck, purity & power.
According to one thought school ” the oil in the lamp (diya) equates to the dirt in the human mind such as greed, hatred, lust, jealousy etc. The cotton used to make the wick is symbol of ‘the atma’ or self/soul. Hence the lighting of the lamp signifies that in order to enlighten, one needs to get rid of all materialistic thoughts.”
‘Tamso-ma-jyotir-gamaya’ meaning the journey from darkness to light is well represnted when the core message behind the lightning of the diyas is understood.
Diyas are totally Eco-friendly & sustainable as they can be easily recycled. Making diyas is an art which is diminishing day by day as the markets are flooded by electrical replacements.
As an community driven initiative of protecting our environment by making eco-friendly & sustainable choices we can create a huge momentum towards conserving the environment.
Types of oils used to light up diyas
To light a diya different types of oils can be used. Cow’ Ghee, Sesame Neem Oil, Neem Oil, Castor Oil, Mustard Oil are being used from centuries or later in indian subcontinent to light up diyas.
Significance of diyas filled with cow’s ghee & cotton wick is such that it is being lit for every Auspicious occasions.
- Mustard oil when used as oil in diyas helps in purifying the air. It also gives a pleasant aroma.
- Lighting Diyas with neem oil keeps mosquitoes & other bugs away as neem oil is a good insecticide.
- Sesame oil is considered to be a pure oil, hence it is used as a replacement for cow’s ghee in lighting diyas on auspicious occasions.
- Panchdeepam Oil which is a mix of cow’s ghee, sesame oil, mustard oil, mahua oil & coconut oil is used to light diyas in temples in south India.
