The practice of lighting a lamp (deepam) holds significant spiritual importance in Hindu traditions, symbolizing the worship of the divine in the form of light. Lighting a lamp is believed to bring prosperity, happiness, and illumination to one’s life. Vedic scriptures also emphasize the benefits of this practice, with many kings having made it a significant part of temple rituals.
Significance of Lighting Lamps During Karthigai Month:
Though lighting a lamp every day is auspicious, lighting them during the month of Karthigai (November–December) in temples and homes brings special blessings. Lighting lamps during this time, especially in the evenings, is akin to performing a grand sacrifice (yagna) to the deity through the medium of fire. Those who cannot light lamps every day are encouraged to light them at least on important days like Dwadasi (12th lunar day), Chaturdasi (14th lunar day), and Purnima (full moon day).
Traditionally, in homes, lamps can be lit in various places, including the prayer room, the courtyard, the kitchen, and near the sacred Tulsi plant. Lighting a ghee lamp in the courtyard in the evening, especially after drawing a rangoli (kolam) with rice flour, is believed to invite prosperity and wealth, even in a family facing poverty.
Best Times to Light Lamps:
- Morning: 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM (before sunrise)
- Evening: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM (after sunset)
Lighting a lamp during the Pradosham time (around 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM) is considered especially auspicious for worshiping Lord Shiva and Narasimha. It is believed to remove obstacles related to marriage and education and bring Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) into the household.
Number of Wicks and Their Benefits:
- One wick: Fulfillment of wishes
- Two wicks: Family unity and harmony
- Three wicks: Removal of child-related issues
- Four wicks: Prosperity in terms of cattle, land, wealth, and overall well-being
- Five wicks: All-around success and increase in wealth
Directions for Placing Lamps:
- East: Brings prosperity and removes sorrows
- West: Clears debts and negative influences
- North: Removes obstacles to marriage
- South: Should be avoided (associated with danger and death)
Types of Oil and Their Benefits:
- Ghee: Increases wealth and helps fulfill desires
- Sesame oil: Enhances health
- Coconut oil: Increases attraction and charm
- Iluppai oil (Mahua oil): Brings success in all endeavors
- Lamp oil: Brings fame
- Five-oil mixture (lamp oil, Mahua oil, ghee, sesame oil, coconut oil): Invokes the grace of Goddess Amman
- Neem oil: Improves marital harmony and invites help from others
- Castor oil: Ensures the blessings of family deities
Caution: Oils such as peanut oil, mustard oil, or palm oil should never be used for lighting lamps, as they are believed to increase troubles and sins.
Appropriate Oils for Deities:
- Lord Ganesha: Coconut oil
- Goddess Mahalakshmi: Cow’s ghee
- Family Deities: A mixture of neem oil, Mahua oil, and ghee
- Lord Bhairava: Sesame oil
- Goddess Amman: A mixture of five oils
- Other Deities (Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Muruga): Sesame oil
Types of Wicks and Their Benefits:
- Cotton: Enhances family harmony and good deeds
- Banana fiber: Removes ancestral curses and divine offenses
- Lotus stem: Clears past sins and ensures lasting wealth
- White erukkam fiber (calotropis): Increases wealth
- New turmeric cloth: Heals diseases
- New red cloth: Removes obstacles related to childlessness
- New white cloth: Brings all kinds of good fortune
Sprinkling rose water on cloth wicks before use is considered especially beneficial.
Types of Lamps and Their Benefits:
- Clay lamp: Removes curses and evil influences
- Silver lamp: Invokes the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi
- Panchaloha lamp (made from five metals): Attracts divine grace
- Bronze lamp: Enhances health
- Iron lamp: Removes Saturn-related afflictions
Importance of the Sacred Lamp:
The sacred lamp is believed to contain the divine presence of the Trinity:
- Brahma at its base
- Vishnu in the middle
- Shiva in the flame (oil/ghee)
Days to Clean the Lamp:
The lamp should ideally be cleaned on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, or Saturdays. The belief is that a Yakshini (celestial being) resides in the lamp from Monday midnight to Wednesday midnight. Cleaning the lamp during Tuesdays and Wednesdays could drive her away. Another Yakshini (Sankhanidhi) resides in the lamp from Thursday midnight to Friday midnight, so it is recommended to clean the lamp on Thursday evenings rather than on Fridays.
Benefits of Cleaning on Specific Days:
- Sunday: Cures eye diseases and improves vision
- Monday: Removes mental stress, confusion, and brings calmness and clarity
- Thursday: Brings Guru’s blessings and countless benefits
- Saturday: Ensures protection and the recovery of lost things
Proper Way to Extinguish the Lamp:
The lamp should not be left to burn out completely on its own, as it can invite negative effects. Also, the lamp should not be extinguished by blowing it out or using hands. Instead, a flower or a brass tool should be used. The wick can be gently pulled back into the oil while chanting “Om Shanthi Svarupine Namah” to let the lamp peacefully extinguish.
Mantras for Lamp Lighting:
- Lighting the lamp:
- “The lamp removes darkness, it brings clarity, it shines with divine light. Let the lamp glow and grant me wisdom and prosperity.”
- Offering incense (dhoop):
- “With sacred flowers and incense, I worship the divine, whose radiant presence fills my heart with joy and peace.”
- Offering a single flame (Ekadeepam):
- “O resplendent light, source of all goodness, grant me your blessings as I offer this lamp in your honor.”
- Offering camphor flame:
- “O light of compassion and grace, whose divine form transcends imagination, accept this camphor flame, shining in devotion.”
The Karthigai Deepam festival is considered an auspicious day to light lamps and seek blessings from Lord Muruga. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati, in the form of light, blesses devotees with all their wishes.
Lighting a lamp is a symbolic act of dispelling ignorance and inviting divine grace into one’s life. Through the practice of deepa aradhana (lamp worship), one connects with the supreme light, seeking both spiritual and material prosperity.
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