The Festival of Lights: Story Of Diwali Diyas

by Vinodkumar Sankranthi
lamps-diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, has arrived! It’s a night when the darkness is beautifully replaced by the warm glow of hundreds of lit diyas and electric lights. Every home is adorned with these radiant decorations during Diwali, creating an atmosphere of joyful celebration. Diyas, or earthen lamps, play a central role in this festivity. They have been an integral part of our traditions and religious events for ages and have evolved into various artistic forms. Whether it’s the simple, small diyas or the larger, fancier ones, each holds a special place in our homes. For Hindus, these lamps symbolize tradition and beauty, and the simpler ones still hold a charming, timeless appeal, adorning temples and houses.

But, have you ever wondered about the significance of lighting diyas on Diwali? Diyas have a lasting glow that can illuminate the surroundings for a long time, sometimes throughout the entire night. They enhance the visual charm of the area and, when beautifully adorned, can create a mesmerizing ambiance. Just as Diwali signifies the victory of good over darkness or evil, diyas represent the enduring light that continues to shine when nurtured. They symbolize hope, mirroring the idea that light persists as long as one strives for it, akin to happiness and the light in our lives, which endures as long as we work diligently. Diyas also stand for purity, goodness, good luck, and power, embodying the essence of Diwali’s profound message.

Deeper meaning of diyas

  • Oil – stands for the negative qualities in human beings like hatred, jealousy, and greed
  • Cotton – means the soul of a man

When the oil is burnt by the wick, the light comes into the picture. Thus the diya stands for getting rid of the bad virtues and heading towards goodness and light.

When to buy diyas on Diwali?
It is recommended to buy diyas on Ashwin Purnima that occur 15 days prior to Diwali. This gives it enough time to completely soak inside the water and thus it can be ready for Pooja on the Diwali day. These days people prefer buying diyas online. We recommend that you buy it from a local vendor as it might bring a smile to a family this festive season. However, if it is not possible then you might want to checkout Amazon Coupons and Offers using which you can buy it online.

Types of Diyas that you can get this Diwali

Let’s get to know more about diyas. There are different types of diyas available in the market, some of them are listed below: –

1. Earthen Diyas

earthen-diyas-diwali

The simple diyas are made from clay and baked in the sun. These diyas are of great importance for celebration and religious prayers. The beauty of simple earthen diyas is totally unmatched. These diyas add to the income of a certain section of society so it’s always advisable to prefer these over any other diyas. These are eco-friendly as well as support the livelihood of a lot of families.

Earthen diyas come in various shapes and designs.

Price: Re 1 per piece to Rs 10/- per piece

2. Porcelain Diyas

porcelain-diyas-diwali

This Diwali decor diyas are made of china clay and often have the goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha carved on them. The Porcelain diyas are a little costly for one-time use but they definitely add beauty to the prayer tray. Go for their not-so-traditional diyas that are beautifully created and add a dash of uniqueness in Diwali decoration this year.

3. Brass Diyas

brass-diyas-diwali

The diyas are made out of brass and available at affordable prices. Another option in metal diyas, these are the most-common diyas used in households for daily prayers. The brass diyas are very easy to use and clean and often come with slightly carved designs. They come in various sizes for spiritual purposes.

4. Iron diyas

iron-diyas-diwali

It is said that iron diyas are used for please ‘Shani’ god or Saturn. The diya is usually lit with gingelly oil and offered to the lord. Iron diya often looks really royal in a well-decorated temple in your home. Pick a beautifully carved iron diya and add a royal look to the spiritual corner of your house this Diwali.

Iron diyas are available online as well as offline and can be found in various beautiful designs. Look for the best and add another antique show-piece to your home’s decoration.

5. Silver Diyas

silver-diya-diwali

The silver diyas are believed to ward off poverty and financial problems from home and offered to the Moon. Besides their spiritual benefits, Silver diyas are extremely beautiful and look really elegant. Place a silver diya in your home’s prayer room and let it enhance the beauty like never before.

Silver diyas are very easy to clean and keep. you can wipe them off with a wet cloth or wash them directly with water. The diyas can also make for a beautiful Diwali gift to your family and near ones. Silver is a costly metal and so, this diyas can be kept safe and exchanged if need be!

Price: In between Rs 1000/- to Rs 10,000/- (depending on the weight)

6. Gold Diyas

gold-diya-diwali

The gold diya is offered to Goddess Lakshmi and is believed to bring in good luck and wealth. Due to the rising rates of gold, it becomes quite difficult for people to afford a Gold diya. But if you can buy one, there’s nothing better than that. Honestly, no matter which diya you lite, only a good human being can impress gods so this Diwali, let’s focus on being a better human being!

A gold diya can be a great source of investment and can be kept for years.

Price: starts from Rs 5,000/-

7. Electrical diyas

electric-diya-diwali

The electrical diyas are commonly used now and are a cheaper option when compared to the earthen diyas. As the festival approaches, you will have no dearth of beautiful electric diyas in the market. From unique designs to really minimalist diyas, you will have them all in your local markets. All you need to do is get these diyas home, connect them with a socket, and add beauty to the decoration.

Electric diyas can be used throughout the year and they make for a great lamp option. With limited electric consumption, electric diyas are the best option this Diwali.

Price: Starts from Rs 200/-

8. Terracotta Diyas

terracotta-diyas-diwali

The terracotta diyas are the ‘fancy diyas’, they are usually designed in a very intricate way and a DIY can also be tried out with them. These diyas are commonly used for decorations.

9. Cowdung Diya

Cowdung diya

Cow Dung has many advantages. It’s naturally obtained, and costs very less. They are also eco-friendly. Take the step towards eco-friendly Diwali by lighting cowdung diyas this time.

10. Crystal Diya

Crystal diya

As the name suggests, the dyas shine bright like a diamond. They got crystals and that’s going to make the entire room lit up. It is usually crystals on brass.  They reflect light, and happiness too! Give one a try this Diwali.

11. Floating Diyas (Tarpaulin Diyas)

Floating diyas, often referred to as Tarpaulin diyas, are a captivating and serene addition to Diwali celebrations. These special diyas are ingeniously designed to rest gracefully on the surface of water, whether in decorative bowls, ponds, or even small artificial lakes created for the occasion. Their unique charm lies in their ability to create a harmonious and almost magical ambiance, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, which is at the heart of Diwali.

Conclusion

So, which type of diya will you choose? You can even pick diya colors that match your other decorations. No matter your choice, all diyas bring hope and joy. Lighting any diya symbolizes dispelling negative emotions and embracing unconditional love. It signifies shedding materialistic desires and cultivating pure love and respect for others.

These are just a few of the many diya varieties available in the market. Each diya holds its own special significance and purpose. You can easily order these styles from your favorite online stores and, if you want to save some extra money, look out for Diwali offers and coupons. You can use each diya according to the specific needs of your celebration. It’s important to remember that diyas and deities share a deep connection. So, when you use a particular type of diya this Diwali, think of the gods or rituals associated with it. If you have more information about different types of diyas, please share it with us in the comments below; we’d love to hear from you.

Image Courtesy:

Abhishek Asthana
GRT Jewellers
Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers
Snapdeal
Storeutsav
Shriyansapte
Indiamart

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