Skip to main content

What does Deepam represent?

Why do Hindus light deepam? Visit any temple or place of worship. There will be lamps that are lit in front of the deity. You can see that churches too have candles being lit in the evenings. Still, many people do not understand the significance of lighting deepam. [READ: Why Malayalis light the Nilavilakku]

As a child, I grew up watching my grandmother and my mother light the deepam every evening. The glow it brought on their happy faces reflects why the benefits of Deepam embrace the family's positive energy and well-being.

Benefits of Deepam

While atheists and liberals tend to scoff at our ancient rituals, Sanathana Dharma is aligned with the energies of the Universe. The benefits of Deepam are manifold. Light a diya and experience how the light embraces your energy first, lifting your spirits instantly.

Just as an incense stick wafts fragrance, a diya brings in light that is positive and beneficial for the home and its members.

When there is darkness, only light can dispel it. [READ: Significance of OM]

When it is evening, the energies turn darker, and every home benefits by lighting the lamp.

A clear feeling of positive energy, natural light and namasmarana or chanting of the divine name enhances the spiritual and material well-being of a home, besides cleansing any negative energies present at the time.

So, one may ask - what happens when diya goes off?

Again, it is simple.

Light the deepam again with love in your heart.

Chant your Ishta Devata's mantra or Guru mantra.

Most importantly, have faith. That's all.

To understand how to light deepam at home, read this post and share this information with your friends and family members.


Comments

Most Popular Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences.  [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste.  You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this  new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being born

Book Review: Nan Umrigar's Sounds of Silence, A Bridge Across Two Worlds

The year 1978 was a glorious one for Karl Umrigar – a young man who won many prestigious horse races, including the Indian 2000 Guineas and the Indian Oakes. Finally, Karl Umrigar fulfilled his dream – every jockey’s dream   – to win the Indian Derby. His name remains in the Indian Derby scroll of honour. [READ: Aarti Raheja: Where One is Not a Number and But just at exactly the moment Karl won, he fell from the horse.  A fall that finally saw the country mourn for him when the headlines of the Indian Express read, “The King is Dead.” Karl Umrigar, the young champion and loved by many, was laid to rest on May 3, 1979. Karl Umrigar’s Death: Bridge between Two Worlds You can imagine what Karl’s death did to his family, particularly his mother – Nan Umrigar. She says, “ Nothing could have prepared us for the darkness that descended upon us – nothing! ” While her family tried to pull on with daily routine, Nan Umrigar found herself in such a state of agony and trauma th

How do you light Deepam at home?

How do you light deepam at home? As a child, I loved watching the ritual of my grandmother lighting the deepam or the traditional lamp at home in the evenings. A sense of serenity accompanied her frail figure as she would carefully straighten every wick, dip it into the tiny puddle of oil and light the lamp. As my grandmother would read out the scriptures and chant the prayers, the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers added depth to the experience. In many Hindu homes nowadays, the lighting of the lamp (or the nilavilakku, as Malayalis refer to the traditional lamp in their homes) is not a regular practice. A lot of people have many questions around how to light deepam at home and which oil to use and so on. An important point to keep in mind - Maintain physical cleanliness and hygiene while lighting the lamp. Wear clean clothes while lighting the lamp. Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Deepam at Home Collating most queries related to how to light the deepam at home, I'v

Anarkali Malayalam Movie Review: Prithviraj at his best, Biju Menon & Suresh Krishna bring on brilliant performances

Directed by Sachy, Anarkali  is a beautiful love story.  Not saying this because of the Prithvi-Priyal deep kiss. Nope.  While the duo were smooching away on screen of course (no decent flowers coming to cover the screen - where have the blasted flowers vanished to, they always popped up on time when I was a kid!!!) I was too busy covering my curious 9 year old son's eyes!  Anarkali Story Coming back to the movie, I watched  it because it is a classic love story about a young man from the Navy who falls in love with the daughter of his senior officer and he pays the price for one dangerous kiss with his life. His search for the girl he loves forms the crux of this love story.  His final attempt leads him to the beautiful island of Lakshadweep, where he works as a diving instructor. The island is known for being a place of goodness and simple living - where there are actually no crimes and therefore, the prison is closed! People are conservativ

Vidyarambham 2019: What is the literal translation of Ezhuthiniruthu?

Vidyarambham 2019 will forever remain one of my happiest moments of the year.   Growing up, the festival of Vijayadashami is linked to my happiest memories with my cousins and parents, a remembrance of piping hot prasadam and books that are carefully wrapped and labelled and then, placed in the puja room. [READ: How and Why Malayalis celebrate Vidyarambham]                                                [Image: Pixabay] Believe it or not, three times a day, a puja would be conducted at home. Those were the days when we didn't have domestic help as an integral part of inside kitchen chores. This meant that everyone pitched in. Yes, it seems almost unthinkable nowadays.   Back then, all family members would gather and pitch in for cooking and cleaning and so on.   A sense of togetherness is what made the festival so special.   For children, this became THE season to not have to study anything, watch TV and play outdoors with other cousins and be up to all kinds of mis