Significance Of Oil Lamps

Lighting an oil lamp at dawn and/or dusk is believed to be a symbol of enlightenment and brings about success and prosperity. In every Hindu home, a lamp or diya is lit daily before a Hindu deity or any symbol associated with Hinduism or even at the altar. Many Hindus also perform an arati with the traditional oil lamp. The lamp is lit in the morning or evening or both morning and evening. In some houses, the lamp is maintained continuously and is known as Akhand Deep or Akhanda Diya.

The light in the lamp symbolizes knowledge. It removes darkness, which symbolizes ignorance. Thus light symbolizes Brahman.

The wick in the traditional oil lamp symbolizes ego and the oil or ghee used symbolizes our negative tendencies. When we are lit by self-knowledge, the negative tendencies (oil) melt away and finally the ego (wick) perishes. When the ego perishes, we realize that we are all part of Brahman and that life is continuity.

The lighting of 'diya' or lamp at home is considered auspiciousness highly as it brings prosperity and good health. The daily evening lamp lit at home also gives us an opportunity to ponder over one's omissions and commissions in a day.