Lamps are an integral part of Hindu pooja thali. The earthen lamp or
'diya' is the most common, easily available and seen lamp. Made on the
potter's wheel from clay, thousands of these are turned out every year
for use by people. A good diya has to be soaked in water before use. The
single diya is the most common lamp. However, the potter often lets his
imagination run riot to churn out different types of diyas. Some are
just attractive domes with openings to hold the lamp so that only the
slight flickering can be seen while the dome protects it from wind. Some
are a bunch of five diyas - one in the middle, surrounded by four
others.Why do we light a lamp or diya?
Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness symbolizes ignorance. The Lord is the "Knowledge Principle" (Chaitanya) who is the source, the Enlivener and the Illuminator of all knowledge. Hence, light is worshiped as the Lord himself. Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievements can be accomplished. Thus, we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.
Types of Lamps or Diyas
There are different types of lamps used for different purposes. The lamp is considered a woman and is symbolic of Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and is referred to as Deepalakshmi. Porcelain lamps shaped like diyas are also made these days, as are the ones in terracotta and clay. Designer diyas hold a place of their own. They come in all sizes. The diya is held atop an elephant or a bankura (horse); there are hanging lamps in the shape of pigeons or birds wherein the chain is hooked onto the bird's beak and the body of the bird houses the place for filling oil or wax.
An Aarti diya, used at the time of prayer, is different from the one used to light the sanctum sanctorum. The Aarti diya usually has a handle attached to it for holding it. The arrangement of the lamps is also artistic and varies according to place and occasion. These are either placed in circles or in rows.
Lamps, thus, play an important role in everyday life in India. Lighting a lamp near a Tulsi plant is a ritual followed by people almost all over the country. Diwali, essentially a Festival of Lights, is all about lamps lighting up life and chasing away darkness. Lighting a lamp in a house is believed to bring prosperity, plenty and abundance to the family. Electricity has not been able to replace the traditional and emotional significance of a humble lamp in the lives of the people of India.