How to Light a Diya for Diwali. Diwali is a Hindu festival that is also known as the Festival of Lights. The reason for this is that the lighting of a diya lamp in honor of Diwali is regarded as forcing light upon darkness, whether it be in the form of evil, tyranny or ignorance. Further, since light represents all things good, a light shining from a diya in every corner is meant to bring hope and prosperity for all mankind. Light up your festival celebration by learning how to light a diya for Diwali.
Learn How to Light a Diya for Diwali
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Step 1
Be aware that a diya, also known as a "deepak" or "deep," is the traditional alternative to candles in India to usher in Diwali. In the marketplace, diyas can be found made in several materials, including metal, but the most popular and traditional diya is made of baked clay.
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Step 2
Know that a traditional diya is small, just large enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Also, the diya lamp is fueled with ghee, a clarified butter or oil. The wick, which lies freely in the neck of the diya lamp, is soaked in this ghee to ignite easily.
Step 3
Light a diya during your ritual worship in the days of Diwali. To light a diya for this purpose is called "aarti," and it is an act of paying homage to the gods and goddesses. Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity and Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, are important deities central to the celebration of Diwali. Lighting a diya in each corner of the home while having the windows open is said to invoke the presence of deity.
Step 4
Light a diya to ask for the blessings of the Goddess Parvati, who gambled with dice with her husband Lord Shiva on the eve of Diwali. For this reason, gambling is a popular pastime during the 5 days of Diwali, and lighting a diya while doing so is thought to bring good luck.
Step 5
Plan to light a diya and spend some time alone reflecting on the blessings you have already received and those that are yet to come. Diwali is all about increased illumination, particularly that of your own inner light.
Tip
While Diwali has religious significance to Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, it is regarded as a national holiday in India in which all celebrate the beauty and bounty of life, the unity of family and cultural diversity.