Indian culture is known for its ancient traditions and beliefs, many practised and followed even today. One such practice is the lighting of the diya. One of the , lighting a diya, has been part of our daily morning and evening prayer rituals from time immemorial.
There are many beliefs around why we light diyas in our homes. Some of these are:
- It is said to bring home wealth.
- Welcomes good health and prosperity.
- It is said to bring knowledge and drive away ignorance.
- The lighting of the diya signifies goodness and good fortune.
- It is also symbolic of purity and power.
According to one school of thought, the oil in the diya signifies impurities or negativities in the human mind in the form of emotions such as hatred, anger, greed, lust, jealousy, etc. The cotton wick is symbolic of one's soul. Lighting a diya, it is believed, drives away the negativities of the mind and takes us on the path of enlightenment.
CONCEPT OF THE DIYA
The concept of the Diya lamp comes from akhand jyoti, or the eternal flame, mentioned in the Mantra Mahabodhi, or the holy book of mantras. According to this book, chanting in front of Agni or fire yields better results.
A diya is the vessel used to create the flame or jyoti. According to Hindu spirituality, a diya or jyoti symbolises knowledge, purity, good luck, and prosperity and helps eliminate darkness or ignorance. A lamp like the Diya that is kept ignited for several days is usually offered to Goddess Durga during the auspicious nine days of the Navratri festival.
If you are looking for Diya for Navratri, Amala Earth has a lovely collection, including those made of materials like brass. Diya is believed to attract positive spiritual vibrations compared with those made from other metals.
WHY IS THE AKHAND DIYA SIGNIFICANT?
- Fire is one of the five essential elements. It is believed that lighting an Diya establishes a deep connection with the creator.
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Diya is said to remove diseases from a household.
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Diya purifies the atmosphere of the house, adding positive energy.
- The ghee or mustard oil used in the Diya is said to destroy all harmful particles and fill the house with positivity.
