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.
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've tried to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. Hope this is useful for you.
How do you place the nilavillaku?
Most households in Kerala have at least one nilavilakku and it is either kept facing the north or the northeast or the eastern direction.
Which direction nilavilakku should be placed?
North or northeastern direction
At what time should we light diya at home?
Exactly at sunrise and sunset. Preferably between 5 am and 7.30 am in the morning and 6 pm and 7 pm in the evenings. In winters, diyas can be lit before sunset.
Is it ok to light deepam at night?
Yes. You can light deepam between 6 pm and 7 pm every evening.
Which oil is best for pooja at home?
Ghee is considered best for pooja at home. However, most households may have difficulty offering ghee for pooja on a daily basis. One can use ghee on Fridays.
Can we light diya after sunset?
Yes, preferably make it a practice to light the deepam every evening at the same time.
What to do after lighting deepam or diya at home?
Start with invoking Sri Ganesha with any appropriate mantras you chant or if you are not familiar, check YouTube and listen to Ganesha Atharvashirsha, which is highly sacred. Over time, you will become familiar and be able to chant it. You can also keep it simple by starting with a chant such as "Om Ganeshaya Namah".
Always remember to invoke the blessings of your Kul Devata, Dharma Devata and Para Devata daily. Without their blessings, no efforts in sadhana can receive blessings unless we remember and invoke their grace.
You can chant whatever prayers are usually offered in your home. You can also chant simple mantras such as 'Om Namah Shivaya' or 'Om Krishnaya Namah' or 'Om Saravana Bhavaya Namah' based on your Ishta Devata. Remember, it is important to chant the same mantras consistently.
You can also listen to bhajans every day as it keeps the mind more engaged with Namasmarana.
While ending your prayers, pray for the harmony and peace of the world and complete with 'Aum' thrice.
Should we light a lamp or agarbatti in the temple of our home?
Definitely. Creating a positive atmosphere brings inner cleansing as well. This can be done regularly. However, there may be family members who have allergies to agarbattis. Keep everyone's health consideration in mind and do accordingly. What is important is to maintain consistency.
Can we do puja without a bath?
It is best to offer puja after a bath. If it is not possible to do so, wash your face, hands and legs at least and then go ahead with puja at home.
Which wicks are best for diya?
Cotton wicks are best for lighting the diyas or nilavilakku at home.
What material is best for wicks?
Cotton is the best material.
Are cotton wicks safe?
Yes, cotton wicks are considered safe.
What is the purpose of a cotton wick?
It is safe to use, provides a bright flame that burns steadily for hours and it is eco-friendly.
What can I use instead of cotton wick?
You can make your own wicks from fabric of your choice. However, cotton wicks are considered safest.
Can you use cotton balls as a wick?
Yes, you can.
Can I use a toothpick a a wick?
Preferably not for lighting the nilavilakku or lamp as part of your pooja.
Can I use shoelace as a candle wick?
No, it is better not to use it as a wick for the purpose of worship.
Are thicker wicks better?
Yes.
How long does a cotton wick last?
Cotton wicks last for at least 2-3 days.
Are there other types of wicks that can be used for lighting diya?
Yellow coloured wicks are considered to bring grace and Guru's blessings. In southern India, it is believed that using the fibres of plaintain as wick or using fibres of lotus stem is very auspicious and sacred to please Goddess Lakshmi.
Which oil should not be used for lighting diya?
Refined oils that are used mostly for cooking should not be used for lighting the diya or nilavilakku such as groundnut oil, rice bran oil, olive oil, etc.
Can Gingelly oil be used for Deepam?
Yes. It is also known as Til oil and it is considered good for warding negative energies, removing doshas, especially if it is done regularly.
What is the English name for Gingelly oil?
It is known as sesame oil.
What kind of oil can I use in an oil lamp?
You can use pooja oil, which can be found on Amazon or Flipkart. At home, we use til oil (Sesame oil specially made for puja purpose) or gingelly oil.
Can you use coconut oil in oil lamp?
Yes, you can.
Is it good to light lamp with ghee?
Yes, it is considered highly auspicious for the prosperity of the family.
This wards off negative energy, ushers in positive energy, wealth and abundance.
Can you use ghee in a diya?
Yes, it is auspicious to light ghee diyas on Friday.
Which ghee is best for diya?
Pure cow ghee
What is the spiritual significance of ghee lamp?
Ghee lamps are considered to usher in prosperity, wealth and positive energy.
Why cow ghee is used in diya?
It is highly recommended in the Puranas and as per different Sampradayas.
However, it is not mandatory. You can use oil instead.
Can we light ghee lamp daily at home?
Yes, you can. You can also light ghee lamps on Fridays.
Can I light lamp facing north?
Definitely. Lighting the lamp in the north direction is considered auspicious.
How to place vilakku in pooja room?
You can place it facing the north or east direction. Always place the base of the vilakku on a plate and not directly on the ground or the puja stand.
Which side we should not light the lamp?
The southern direction. Lightng the can be avoided unless you are lighting five wicks in the lamp.
In which direction Yama deepam is lit?
The south west direction.
What can I use instead of oil in oil lamp?
Cow ghee
Can I do pooja after eating egg or non-vegetarian food?
I do not do it. However, if you are of the view that you feel there is nothing wrong in it, that is your choice. Each to his/her karma.
What are the flowers for worship?
In Hindu households, flowers are usually used for worship, particularly on special occasions. Jasmine garlands, marigolds, lotus are popularly used.
Which flower is not offered to Goddess Lakshmi?
The tulsi is usually not offered to Goddess Lakshmi. Lotus and jasmine are considered to be the preferred flowers while worshipping Goddess Lakshmi.
Which flower is offered to Goddess Parvathy?
Red hibiscus are considered to be Goddess Parvathy's favourite flower, followed by jasmine.
Can we do puja without flowers?
Yes, we can.
The practices pertaining to puja may vary from one household to the other.
What is most essential is to keep a pure heart and keep the mind free from any worries, tensions or negative thoughts while praying.
As J. Krishnamurthy said, in his wise words, "When I do not know, I am learning."
When you pray with a pure heart, wishing no one any harm or ill will, there will always be God's grace and blessings on you and your family.
Comments
If cutting a birthday cake is a contemporary tradition, lighting the lamp every evening is a timeless tradition but it is not considered 'cool' enough for most 'educated' folks. Sadly, this also reflects in the energy inside homes and between family members. As many believe, "The family that prays together remains strong forever."
The 'deepam' routine makes a huge difference to the energy at home - difficult to quantify in words but you will experience the amazing positivity and aishwaryam it brings if this is done with Bhakti and Shraddha every day. I have experienced it myself and only then written this. Glad you liked this post too.
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