*[[File:Tealight Diyas.jpg|thumb|Tealight Diyas used for decoration during [[Diwali]]]][[Diwali]]: The lighting of diyas forms a part of celebrations and rituals of the festival. Houses are decorated with small diyas placed at boundaries and entrances.<ref>The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British and Foreign India, China, and Australia Front Cover Parbury, Allen, and Company, 1834, page 346 </ref> In fact, the name of Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means the row of lights ("deep" means Diya and "avali" means row).<ref>Tej K. Bhatia and Naresh Sharma "The Routledge Intermediate Hindi Reader", Routledge, 2015 {{ISBN|1317962850}}, 9781317962854</ref>
*[[File:Tealight Diyas.jpg|thumb|Tealight Diyas used for decoration during [[Diwali]]]][[Diwali]]: The lighting of diyas forms a part of celebrations and rituals of the festival. Houses are decorated with small diyas placed at boundaries and entrances.<ref>The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British and Foreign India, China, and Australia Front Cover Parbury, Allen, and Company, 1834, page 346</ref> In fact, the name of Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means the row of lights ("deep" means Diya and "avali" means row).<ref>Tej K. Bhatia and Naresh Sharma "The Routledge Intermediate Hindi Reader", Routledge, 2015 {{ISBN|1317962850}}, 9781317962854</ref>
*[[Karthikai Deepam]]: Diyas, also known as deepam in Tamil Nadu, can be lighted, especially during the [[Karthikai Deepam]].
*[[Karthikai Deepam]]: Diyas, also known as deepam in Tamil Nadu, can be lighted, especially during the [[Karthikai Deepam]].
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** [[Nilavilakku|Nilavilakku lamp]]
** [[Nilavilakku|Nilavilakku lamp]]
** [[Sky lantern]]
** [[Sky lantern]]
** [[Oil_lamp#Hinduism|Types of Indian oil lamps]]
** [[Oil lamp#Hinduism|Types of Indian oil lamps]]
Clay Diyas are often used temporarily as lighting for special occasions, while diyas made of brass are permanent fixtures in homes and temples. Especially in Diwali, diyas or candles are representing of enlightenment, knowledge, or wisdom. Diyas are a part of Indian culture, as a representative or sakshi for auspicious reasons, as well as an indicator of light that destroys darkness. They are also used as decoration during the festival of lights - Diwali. Traditionally, Indians light a diya every morning and evening.
While lighting a diya, some also chant Shubham Karoti Kalyanam:
I pay my salutation (namaskara) to the light / lamp which brings auspiciousness; prosperity, good health, abundance of money and wealth, and the destruction of the intellect’s enemy. The light of the lamp represents the Supreme Brahman as well as Janardhana (Vishnu), let the light absolve the sins, I pay my salutations to this light / lamp.
This shloka is recited while lighting the lamp. Light is considered a symbol of auspiciousness, prosperity, and abundance in many cultures. It is believed that deepam is the symbol of knowledge.
Festivals
Tealight Diyas used for decoration during DiwaliDiwali: The lighting of diyas forms a part of celebrations and rituals of the festival. Houses are decorated with small diyas placed at boundaries and entrances.[4] In fact, the name of Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means the row of lights ("deep" means Diya and "avali" means row).[5]
A diya placed in temples and used to bless worshippers is referred to as an aarti.
A similar lamp called a butter lamp is used in Tibetan Buddhist offerings as well.
Hindu Rituals
Birth: The lighting of diya is also part of the Hindu religion rituals related to birth.[6][7][8]
Types
Top of the ornamental Nachiarkoil or Annam lamp of Tamilnadu.
In terms of the choice of material, the kiln fired earthenware lamps followed by the metallic lamps with multiple wicks, mostly of brass known as Samai, are the most common, though other materials are also used such as patravali floating lamp made from leaves or permanent lamps made of stones.
In terms of wick design, lamps with one wick are most common followed by the four wick styles, other variations such as two, five or sevel wick, etc also made.
In terms of overall lamps design, the ornamental lamps come in various designs. The iconic Nachiarkoil lamp, also known as "Annam lamp", is produced exclusively in by the Pather (Kammalar) community in Nachiyar Koil of Tamil Nadu.[9][10]
