Significance of Lighting the Deepa (Lamp)

Deepa is frequently used in the majority of Hindu celebrations, events, and festivals. It is the symbol of enlightenment, hope, and prosperity. In the traditional form, Deepa is made from baked clay i.e terracotta. It holds ghee made from cow’s milk or oil and is lit via a cotton wick.

When a ghee lamp is lit and kept nearby, it creates an aura of illumination which opens up the mind. So we can enhance the performance of the individual by allowing worship to the Lord with all concentration and attention. When a lamp filled with pure ghee is lit, it attracts the divine and positive vibrations from the atmosphere and makes the place divine. This ghee has the potential to attract positive energy when evaporated. That is why we light ghee for Gods on any auspicious occasions.

Oil lamps are used for the aarti of a person. Oil has the potential to remove negativity but it can’t attract divinity. It is only lit to ward off the evil eye.

The flame of the lamp always burns upwards and that inspires us to achieve such knowledge that will take us toward higher goals.

The burning lamp represents the element of fire. Fire is one of the five principal elements of this material creation (earth, water, fire, space, and air). The human body is alive due to the fire burning inside, which digests the food and controls the entire functioning of the body. It is the fire inside the eye that enables one to see things.

Fire represents purity. Whatever comes in contact with fire is immediately purified, the way impure gold is converted into pure gold. Fire represents luminance and brilliance. It acts as a dispeller of darkness. As soon as the fire is lit, darkness flees away. Similarly, the lamp being offered to the lord dispels the darkness inside the heart of the devotee.

The temperature created by the burning of lamps helps in the detoxification of the body of the person sitting nearby. We should light traditional Deepas to sustain the age-old traditions during the special days.