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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.


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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. [ Let's Connect on Facebook ] 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. The most essential factor is unwavering focus and concentration when you light the lamp every eve...