Wondering how to properly light a diya at home without making mistakes? I used to watch my grandmother light the Nilavilakku or the traditional lamp at home. Back then, I didn't understand its deeper significance. Lighting a diya or a lamp embodies our inner journey from darkness to light. T he transition represents a deep metaphysical truth: the triumph of light over darkness. Are you lighting your diyas wrong? Use these tips to when lighting diya or lamp at home. [Source: Pexels.com] How To Properly Light A Diya At Home 1. Never place your diya or lamp on the floor to light it in your pooja room. Keep a Thaali/Plate under it. You can keep a small brass plate under the lamp. Don't use that Thaali/Plate for any other purpose once you use it for this purpose. 2. Don't put your diya or lamp in any place where it is not clean earlier. Before you place the diya or lamp, make sure the area around it is clean. Remember, you are inv...
Attukal Pongala: The year 2026 raced through with so many unexpected milestones, the most significant one being the opportunity to offer Attukal Pongala. What began as a family get-together culminated in a precious and most beautiful blessing from Devi or Bhagawathy, as we Malayalis refer to the Divine Mother. As my humblest offering to Attukal Devi, I offer this writing to Bhagawathy , with a prayer that may more and more women from all walks of life find joy and fulfilment through offering Attukal Pongala year after year. May their joy multiply! [READ: Conversations with my Mother and Amazing Tale of Peddabottu ] What is the Story Behind Attukal Pongala? The Attukal Pongala festival celebrates and honours the life of Kannaki , who is said to be a real life heroine whose tragedy is documented in the Tamil epic, Silapathikaram . The story is that an angry Kannaki's wrath upon Madurai over the merciless and unjust execution of her husband Kovalan, following which ...