Diya (lamp)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2015) |
Diya, or oil lamp, in different forms. | |||||||
A Diya, Diyo, Deya,[1] divaa, deepa, deepam, or deepak is an oil lamp used in Nepal and India, usually made from clay, with a cotton wick dipped in ghee or vegetable oils.
Clay diyas are often used temporarily as lighting for special occasions, while diyas made of brass are permanent fixtures in homes and temples. Diyas are native to India and Nepal often used in Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Zoroastrian religious festivals such as Diwali[2] or the Kushti ceremony. A similar lamp called a butter lamp is used in Tibetan Buddhist offerings as well. Diyas, also known as deepam in Tamil Nadu, can be lighted, especially during the Karthikai Deepam.
Traditional use
A diya placed in temples and used to bless worshippers is referred to as an aarti.
See also
References
- ^ Sacred Places of a Lifetime. Washington DC: National Geographic Society. 2008. p. 270. ISBN 978-1-4262-0336-7.
- ^ "Diwali: Significance of a Diya". Zee Media Corporation Ltd. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
 | This article about the culture of India is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |