The Significance of Lamps
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
We all know about this famous "Festival of Lights". Diwali is the festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil, of hope over despair, and the return of a hero. Every year, we see the beautiful arrangement of lamps or diyas, how these flames come together to light up the night.
So many people celebrate this festival, making it one of the biggest ones. It's a time of joy, filled with the lighting of firecrackers and millions of lamps all over India.
Lamps are synonymous with Diwali; the first thing that comes to our mind on hearing the word 'Diwali' are lamps, lit up and arranged to make an awe-inspiring spectacle. There is something wonderful about watching the dark be banished by the light of the lamps.
The other name of Diwali, Deepavali, itself means 'series of lamps' from the Sanskrit words Deepa and Avali. There is much importance put on lamps during Diwali.
There are different reasons for the lighting of lamps during Diwali. Most stories talk about how on Lord Rama's return to his homeland Ayodhya with his brother and wife, people lit lamps to welcome the return of their lord, and made lamps a prevalent tradition of Diwali. This is but one of the reasons.
There is also a very symbolic meaning behind the lamps. The oil in the lamp represents all the sins of humans like greed, hatred and jealousy, while the cotton wick is the atma or self. The light that the lamp emits is enlightenment. The light obtained when the wick, fueled by oil, burns while the oil slowly evaporates away. The lamp also represents knowledge defeating ignorance, as an ignorant person is always in the dark.
In Hinduism, light signifies purity and goodness. When light is present, darkness and evil forces cannot exist. Another reason is that as Diwali is celebrated on a new moon day, evil spirits and forces are stronger. The flames of the lamps weaken these dark forces, and the lamps are kept in every corner of the house for this reason.
It also gives a message of unity. One lamp can light other lamps without its own light being affected, and when all these lamps come together, they dispel the darkness while a lamp alone can do little good.
Lamps are such an intricate part of Diwali that it is impossible to think of this festival without its lights. Let's enjoy the beauty of these lights while keeping in mind all they symbolize. Wishing a happy Diwali to all of you!
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