Lighting Lamps in Temples

Lighting temples with vilakku (lamp) is an adorable need extolled by saints in our dharma - more so the

Nayanmars. Please do your bit to fill in the oil to light a lamp at your nearby temple or join us to light the

temples where immediate attention is needed.

Slokas to be chanted while lighting the DeepamWhen you light the lamp in the puja room in the morning & evening the following may be chanted.

1. Deepo jyotih param brahma deepo jyotih janaardhanahadeepo harathu me paapam sandhyaa deepo namo(a)stutaeMeaning : The light of the lamp stands for the Unmanifest Truth as well as for Lord Vishnu in His manifest form. Let that light of lamp remove my sins, results of omissions and commissions

2 . Shubham karoti kalyaanam aarogyam dhanasampadahashatru buddhi vinaas(h)aaya deepajyotih namo(a)stutaeMeaning : Let the light provide the light to make the activity better, let it provide health and concentration. I salute the light that destroys enmity (see the great thought - not the enemy but the enmity is that is being destroyed).

3. Suvarna vriddhim kurumae gruhae shrisudhaanya vriddhim kurumae gruhae shrikalyaana vriddhim kurumae gruhae shrivibhoothi vriddhim kurumae gruhae shriMeaning : I pray to Goddess Lakshmi to shower my house with Abundance, Grains, Auspiciousness and Prosperity.

4. Keetaa pathangaa mas(h)akaashcha vrikshaahajalae sthalae ae nivasanthu jeevaahadhrishtvaa pradeepam na cha janma bhaajobhavanthi nithyam svachaahi vipraaha

Meaning : Learned people say that by seeing the brightly lit deepam, insects, birds, reptiles, trees and plants, all living things residing in water and light can be permanently liberated from bondages due to that particular janma.

5. kalyana namakaram kalmashaghnamkamrakaram kandhi dhoothandakaramsandhyalakshmee kanda sootraikaratnamdeepajyothir mangalam nasthanothu

Meaning : Glory the name you have who destroy gloominess, make the beauty with deleting darkness; your glow is like the rathnam on the sandhyalakshmi’s neck; I salute you light.

Guidelines for lighting lamp         Ghee/ Sesame Oil or a mixture of oil and ghee can be used to light the lamp.

         Lamp is always a good omen – if someone gifts you a lamp, accept it whole-heartedly. If the lamp flickers, it is an auspicious sign.

         Always smear the lamp with vermillion and sandal powder.         Offer flowers to the lamp.         Always use two wicks for lighting the Lamp.         After head bath, one should remove the head towel before even lighting the lamp .         There is no harm in lighting the usual villakku at rahu kalam & chanting Durga shlokams, particularly on Tuesday

& Friday at home.

Don’ts for lighting lamp         Never place and light a lamp in the south direction. It will bring inauspicious events...         After lighting the lamp don’t rub the excess oil on your hair; (it will make you loose your wealth) general belief.

Also rubbing in your own dress is also not good. So keep a piece of cloth in your pooja room and rub the excess oil in it.

         Never keep any lamp directly on the kolam. Always keep it on a plate ( can be brass, silver not steel).         If you like keep a few grains of raw rice below the lamp - this is necessary only when you do vilakku poojai etc &

not necessary every day.         Do not use Groundnut Oil.         Lemon (Elumichai) vilakku lighting should not be done at home at all. It is to be lighted only in temples.

Significance of Lighting Lamp in Hindu Culture

Majority of the Hindus insist on lighting a traditional wick lamp in puja room. This is because it is believed that the

traditional lamp that is lit radiates heat and light energy. The regular movement of the flame in the traditional wick

lamp is highly effective in passing out the positive energy. The wave movement that the traditional wick lamp has

got is believed to help in distributing the positive energy on all sides.

Sesame oil, also known as gingelly oil or til oil, is generally used to light the lamp and this is again associated with

positive energy that it gives out.

Symbolism of Lighting Lamp in Hindu Culture

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 the Supreme Truth.

The flame of a lamp has two qualities. One is to banish darkness. The other is a continuous upward movement.

Even when a lamp is kept in a pit, the flame moves upwards. The sages have therefore adored the lamp of wisdom

as the flame that leads men to higher states. Hence, the effulgence of light should not be treated as a trivial

phenomenon. Along with lighting the external lamps, men should strive to light the lamps within them. The human

estate should be governed by sacred qualities. This calls for the triple purity of body, mind and speech--Trikarana

Suddhi (purity of the three instruments).

Likewise, the flame of Jnana (Spiritual Wisdom) leads one to a sublime level through the path of Righteousness.

While lighting a lamp, one is also lighting the lamp that is ever shining within us. Man has to dispel the darkness of

ignorance.

If the darkness of ignorance is to be dispelled, man needs a container, oil, wick and a matchbox corresponding to

what an external lamp needs. For man, the heart is the container. The mind is the wick. Love is the oil and vairagya

(sacrifice) is the matchbox. When you have these four, Atma-jyothi (the Divine flame of the Spirit) shines

effulgently. When the light of the Spirit is aflame, the Light of Knowledge appears and dispels the darkness of

ignorance.

Bottom portion of the lamp: (lotus seat): Lord Brahma

The middle pipe of the lamp: Lord Venkateswara

The portion where oil/ghee is filled: Rudran

The portion where wick settles: Lord Maheswara

The end of the wick: Sadashiv

Ghee/Oil: Natham

Lamp, represents Durga, Saraswathi and Lakshmi.

The 5 faces of a lamp denote the 5 qualities that a woman needs to have:

         Affection         Intelligence         Resoluteness         Patience         Caution

The portion where the oil is filled indicates the mind of the woman.

When you light a lamp, all the five qualities of the woman gets prominence.

So, when you light a lamp, you light your soul. It helps us in developing our intellect.

Lighting a lamp in the temple brightens your life. If we light a lamp in our homes every evening and pray by reciting

a few shlokas, it will make our lives shimmer like the lamp.

Benefits of lighting lamps with different oils         Cow's ghee - Ensures radiance and Heavenly bliss         Ghee - Wealth, Health and Happiness         Gingely oil/Sesame oil - Removes unforeseen dangers, inauspicious events         Castor oil - Fame, Happy family life, and to gain Spiritual intellect         Iluppai( A tree name..In English it is called as Mahua) – for wealth

Number of Cotton Wicks to be used

         Single wick (Eka Mukha Deepam) is normal/medium benefit         Two wicks (Dwimuka deepam) brings harmony and peace in the family and relatives         Three wicks (Trimukha Deepam) Blesses with progeny         Four wicks (Chathurmukha deepam) brings allround prosperity and Sumptous food         Five wicks (Panchamkukha deepam) showers akhanda aishwaryam (Wealth)         Six wicks (Shanmukha deepam) blesses with Akhanda Gyana (Knowledge) & Vairagyam(Renunciation)

**Lampholders should be cleaned daily ** cotton wicks and the oil should be changed everyday **

Different Wicks to be used         Cotton – prosperity         Lotus steam thread - removes all sins         new yellow cloth - gives devi's blessings         banana stem - removes sorrow

What is the oil to be used to light up lamp while praying god?

The best oil to light up lamp before god is cow ghee. Next comes ordinary oil. “Mahua flower oil” or “ippa oil” might be extraordinary. The benefits of lighting up the lamp with ghee oil are ultimate. We get ‘ashta aishwarya’ and ‘ashta bhoga’ (great wealth and health)

                If we light the lamp with ‘amudham oil’ (in Telugu), castor oil we get fruitful marriage life, and would be able to maintain good relations between wife and husband. 

NOTE: It is said we should never light the lamp with ground nut oil before god.

   When it comes to goddess Maha Lakshmi, it is prescribed to light up the lamp with cow ghee,

Shree Mahalakshmi - Cow's Ghee

Subramanya/Shreemannarayana - Sesame Oil

Ganesha - Coconut Oil

Devi Parashakti - Mixture of Ghee, Castor oil, Coconut oil,Ippanune (Oil extracted

from a fruit resembling dried grapes),Vepanune (Oil extracted from the Neem Leaves)

All the gods  - Sesame Oil

Directions for Deepam:

North - For success in all ventures undertaken. Most preferable direction to place and light a

lamp.

East – For good health and peace of mind.

West – For freedom from debts and victory over enemies

South - Never light a lamp in the south direction. It is considered inauspicious.

Wicks for lighting Deepam:

Cotton Wicks (vottu in Telugu) are used. We must light a minimum of two wicks in the

deepam, one to represent the woman and the other to represent the man, thus symbolizing

the family unit which is fundamental in spirituality. The Significance of Wicks: Single wick (Eka Mukha Deepam) for normal benefit.

Two wicks (Dwimukha deepam) brings harmony and peace in the family and relatives.

Three wicks (Trimukha Deepam) Blesses with progeny.

Four wicks (Chathurmukha deepam) brings allround prosperity and sumptuous food.

Five wicks (Panchamkukha deepam) showers akhanda aishwaryam or Wealth. 

Six wicks (Shanmukha deepam) blesses with Akhanda Gyana (Knowledge) & Vairagyam (Renunciation).

When to put deepam:

Simply light a deepam in pure ghee; preferably of cow’s milk; or in mustard oil ; and say

whatever your prayers are; before it’s burning flame; every morning before you go out and

every evening after you return home.

Benefits:

Deepam can be lighted with different oils:   Cow's ghee - Ensures radiance and Heavenly bliss 

Ghee - Wealth, Health and Happiness

Gingely oil/Sesame oil - Removes unforeseen dangers, Inauspicious events

Castor oil - Fame, Happy family life, and to gain Spiritual intellect 

A lamp lit with til oil it is believed will keep the snakes away by it smell.

Slokas to be chant:

The shloka to be chant while lighting the lamp

Subham Karoti Kalyanam,

Arogyam Dhana Sampadah,

Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya

Deepa Jyotir Namostute.

Meaning : I salute the One who is the lamplight that brings auspiciousness; prosperity, good health,

abundance of wealth, and the destruction of the intellect’s enemy (6 enemies - Kama, krodha, lobha,

moha, mada and matsarya).

After lighting the lamp, chant the prayer

Deepajyothi Parabrahma,

Deepajyothi Janardhana,

Deepo me hara tu paapam,

Deepa Jyothir Namostute

Meaning: I salute the Brahman, the sustainer of the creation, in the form of this light. I salute the

Lord, may He destroy afflictions resulting from my omissions and commissions.

Cotton wicks

Cotton wicks are made from Indian cotton plant which is the most popular and commonly used wick

in India to light an oil lamp. It attains every good fortune.

Lotus wicks

Lotus wicks are prepared from the fiber of Lotus stem. Lighting lamp using these Lotus wicks will

brings you fortune in Money matters with Goddess Mahalakshmi blessings as well as Goddess

Saraswathi blessings. It will take away earlier birth fate and creates a happy and successful life with

perfectness.

White Madar wicks

Lighting lamp with white Madar wicks will fine for healthiness and will bring blessings of Lord Maha

Ganapathi. It will give positive result in court matters, competitive exams. Increases wealth and

dispels evil effects, will give positive energy, peace, return of debuts and nullifies malefic powers.

Banana stem wicks

By lighting lamp with this Banana stem wicks, it make possible us to request pardon for mistakes

which were committed by us and by our family. Lighting Lamp with Banana stem wicks will serves

Lord Hanuman blessings, healthy Child and positive results in ongoing Works etc. but it is not

advisable to light these wick in marriage discussions.

Red and Yellow cotton cloth wicks

These wicks are prepared with new yellow cotton cloth and red cotton cloth. With the yellow cotton

cloth wicks we can attain grace of goddess parvathi devi and by lighting Red cotton cloth wick It will

helps to eliminates difficulties in marriages and child bearing and will help to increase mutual

understanding and love between couples.

Different types of oils :

We use Ghee or different types of oils to lit an oil lamp for various reasons.

Ghee

Cow’s ghee makes sure to destroy poverty and will give health, peace and bliss.

Gingerly oil or sesame oil

Gingerly oil or sesame oil helps in elimination of difficulties and bad sin effects that disturbs you.

Lighting lamp with this oil’s is very popular to please Lord Shani during Sade-sati periods of Saturn

at Mahadasha and Antardasha.

Castor oil

Castor oil mainly used to acquire fame, name, happiness in family life, and to increase a devotional

faith.

Panchadeepa Oil

Panchadeepa Oil which is extremely suggestible to light a lamp to nullify all evil effects in home and

keeps peace in the home by eliminating evil eye, bad thoughts, illnesses and poverty. Lamp lighting

with this oil will brings wealth, happiness, health and luck. Actually this oil is combination of Coconut

oil or gingerly oil, Castor oil, Neem oil, Mahua oil and cow’s Ghee.

Using of Sunflower oil or ground nut oil is not recommended because older persons will say that if

we those oils to light a lamp in the home are always in need of money or them in debts.

Number of wicks and their meaning:

Single wick gives general benefits and success.

Two wicks blesses with harmony and peace in the family and home.

Three wicks bless us with progeny.

Four wicks will bring all-round success and extravagant victuals.

Five wicks will gives us Wealth in all aspects.

Six wicks blesses us with Knowledge and Renunciation.

Wick   Directions   and their impact :

We are having 4 directions East, West, North and South. Lighting lamp in individual direction will

gives us different results.

East: Beneficial for health and mind will be peaceful

West: To get free from financial obligations or debts and success over enemies.

North: To achieve all over success in undertaken ventures as the most preferable direction to place

a lamp to light.

South: This direction is regarded as inauspicious and never lights a lamp in this direction.

Types of oil lamps:

An oil lamp is an object which utilizes to produce light usually for an assured time by using oil as a

main fuel source to light a lamp. The tradition of using oil lamps started 1000's of years ago which is

continued today. Oil lamps are generally used in Hindu’s and as well as in temples.

Clay lamp: Clay lamps are widely using for spiritual rituals and the significance of clay lamp is

extreme in all kinds of prayers and devotional religious customs.

Silver lamp: silver lamp is inflamed to impress the moon and this step is supposed to get rid of

poverty.

Gold lamp: Gold lamp is inflamed for health, wealth and expansions of business or any other

developments.

Brass lamp: Brass lamps are easily available with affordable price and its durability is very high.

Clay lamps and Brass lamps are very popular because of availability and afford. But none of them

use Iron and steel oil lamps for Hindu spiritual rituals in their houses. Silver and gold lamps are

expensive to use.

We can also light an oil lamp with lemon and rice flour for some specific religious ceremonies.

Lemon Lamp:

First take a fresh lemon and then cut it to middle and take away the juice and seeds from the cut

lemon and then invert it. Here yours lemon lamp is ready.

Lemon Diya with cotton wick belongs to devallakalpanaa

Place wicks inside lemon and fill with Ghee then light it. Mainly these lemon lamps are used to

please goddess Dura. In South India lighting lemon lamps are popularly used during Rahu kalam

which helps to cancel out the negative effects of the Rahu planet and to get the blessings of

Goddess Dura to acquire peace and prosperity in one’s life.

Rice Flour Lamp:

Wash and soak rice for 30 minutes and pour water completely then grind it to a fine powder. Then

use Siever to separate fine flour and any remaining granules presented. After that add grated

jaggery to that rice flour and mix it well with hand or by mixer. Afterward take the dough into a

container and make it round and press with thumb in top middle of the dough to get dent. Pour

enough ghee to fill the dent and place a wick in that dent to light.

Preparation of Jaladeepam

Jaladeepam means the lighting lamp with combination of water and oil. Many of them will think how

it will be possible. I will say you the procedure step-by-step here.

First step

Take 2 empty bowls , one large and one small .

empty bowls

Second Step

Fill both bowls with water. large bowl with full and small bowl with 75% of water.

bowls with water

Third step

Add 2 to 3 spoons of oil to small bowl.

Adding oil

3 spoons of oil added to the bowl

Fourth step

we will use the floating kind of item as a base for wick to light the lamp. Here i am using plastic

floating flower with a hole to place a wick to light the lamp. after placing wick in the flower place it in

the small bowl.

Floating Flower which are using to place a Wick

Wicks which we are using

Floating Flower with Wick

Bowl with Floating Flower

Fifth step

Light a lamp . Here i am using match stick to lit the wick. 

Lighting Wick with Match stick

Glow of the Lamp

Final Step

This step is leaving up to your wish. It is decoration . I used Chrysanthemum petals and added little

reddish color to get some light color for plain water and used decorative flowers.

Chrysanthemum petals

Added little Red color

Decorated flowers.

Conclusion

This lamp will give lighting up to 7 to 8 hours about. Now days people are lighting these floating

lamps in homes as Vastu Remedies to get rid of evil powers and negative influences. Most people

are using floating candles to decorate their houses .

For Lord Shiva abhishekam materials that to be used

Abhishekam

Shiva Abhishekam is usually performed to a Lingam representing his manifestation as a creator of

good (by destroying evil).

In many temples, one finds a vessel hung over the Lingam called thaara paathra, that continuously

drips water or other offerings onto the Lingam in deference to Shiva's desire for Abhisheka.

Some of the common items used for Shiva Abhisheka are

1. Curd

2. Milk

3. Honey

4. Tender Coconut water

5. Vibhuti (holy ash)

6. Panchamruta (Curd based delicacy consisting of Panch(5) items: Milk, Sugar, Ghee (clarified

butter), Honey, curd)

7. Bananas

8. Sandalwood Paste

9. Ghee (Clarified butter)

10. Haldi

11. Fragrant oils

12. Bael leaves

BAEL leaves(vital importance): While selecting BAEL leaves make sure the Chakra and the

Bajra should not be there. The Chakra is a white mark made by the insects on the BAEL leaves,

while the Bajra is the thick portion towards the stalk.The BAEL leaves used in pooja should be of

3 leaflets even if one of the leaves gets detached of three leaves then it is of no use

Simple Puja To Lord Shiva Buy a new Shiva linga and install it at a prayer altar. Monday is an important day to do Shiva puja.

He can be worshipped during Pradosham, the 13th day of every bright and dark phase of the moon,

every fortnight.

Take bath in the morning and wear neat, clean clothes.

Shiva is worshipped by offering or pouring water, milk, honey, curd, ghee, vibhuthi or sacred ash and

sandalwood paste. This is called abhisekam.

He should be offered bilwa leaves and flowers like lotus, sankhapushpi and jasmine.

Food offerings should be made to the lord.

Light an incense and burn a lamp with oil or ghee.

Mantras to be recited:

"Om namah shivaya" and maha mrityunjay mantra

Om Trayambakam Yajaamahe,

Suganthim Pushtivardhanam

Urvaarukmiva Bandhanaan

Mrityor Moksha Mamritaat

Rudraksha beads should be kept during worship. Mere sight of rudraksha creates auspiciousness.

When one wears a rudraksha, his sins are destroyed.

Then light or camphor should be waved before the linga along with ringing of bells and conch shells.

Partaking of food offerings or Prasad bring peace and prosperity. Likewise, Water of abhisekam is

very sacred and destroys many sins and purifies the heart. It should be taken with great devotion and

faith.

Incurable diseases can be cured when abhisekam is done to the lord. All desires get fulfilled.

Material Benefits of Offerings1. Milk is offered, one is blessed with purity and piousness

2. Curd gives the blessing of good children and prosperity

3. Honey gives one the gift of melodious voice

4. Sugar gives happiness and removes enmity

5. Ghee gives the blessing of salvation and victory

6. Water grants one the purity of mind

7. Sandal wood paste gives one the grace of Goddess Mahalakshmi

WORSHIPPING SHIVLING AT HOME - RULES OF WORSHIPING SHIVA LINGAM

Before starting the Puja, the devotee takes a bath and wear freshly washed clothes.

Hymns praising Lord Shiva or the mantra ‘om namaha shivayaa’ are repeated to

create a mood for worship. Then, the devotee sits in front of the lingam and blows

conch or ring bells. This indicates the beginning of the Puja.

First it is the panchamrit abhishek - the libation of five holy liquids over the lingam.

The libation can consist of any five of the following – water from river Ganga, honey,

sugarcane juice, milk, yogurt, ghee, seawater, coconut water or milk, fragrant oils,

rose water or other precious liquids. Usually, only milk of cow is used. While pouring

the liquid, om namah shivaya is uttered. Some devotees utter the Lord’s name 108

times and some 1008 times. There is no fixed rule.

After the panchamrit abhishek, the lingam is cleaned with water from Ganga. (This

is might not be possible always so just normal water.) After this the lingam is

smeared with sandalwood paste and is decked with flowers. Water and sandalwood

paste is used to keep the lingam cool, as Lord Shiva is always in a highly

inflammable state. In some Shiva temples, cooling liquid constantly drops from pot

hung above the Lingam.

Next, sweets, coconut and fruits are offered to the Lord. Camphor and incense are

lit and ‘arati’ is conducted. Some devotees fan the lingam and sing praises of the

lord.

Finally, ringing of bells or blowing of conch indicates the end of Puja. White ash

(vibhuti) is rubbed on the forehead and it is also distributed. Fruits, sweets and

coconut are distributed as ‘prasad.