Significance of Silver Deepam in India
The silver deepam or Kundulu can be found in almost every Hindu home and public temples in India. The burning of this diya is considered sacred. The designs of these Diyas can be as simple as just a small oil holder with a cotton string, or they can be elaborate stands with 3-4 oil holders and elegant wicks.
The light from the deepam helps us move from darkness to light, bad to good, and evil to divine. This allows the gods and goddesses to bless us with their wisdom and unconditional love.
Importance of Burning Silver Diya at HomeIt is believed that oil represents the dirt and evil in the human mind that is constantly nurtured by the human mind. The cotton or wick is the symbol of the soul or 'Atma. The diya is burned, which represents that an individual needs to burn or get rid of all the selfish desires. This releases the individual into a more blissful life and guides them to the path of enlightenment.
It is believed that lighting the Kundulu affects the surrounding area's magnetic nature, which helps keep human health in good shape. Lighting a pure silver deepam helps in making the atmosphere pure, thus allowing God to reside in our homes. As mentioned, there are different designs of silver diyas available today, but the most significant are the following ones:
Kubera Deepam SilverThe lord of wealth in Hinduism. The lighting of Kubera deepam in the month of Kartika is considered auspicious and enhances the wealth status of your homes. They have wide base designs, a small stand, and a cup. The pattern is usually very intricate and traditional.
Kamakshi Deepam SilverKamakshi is a Hindu goddess who resembles the darkness-eliminator. Devotees pray to her for wisdom, and it is said that just one look from her is enough to bring enlightenment, wealth, and prosperity into one's life. This Kamakshi silver deepam is similar to Ashtalakshmi's deepam in design.
Ashta Lakshmi Deepam SilverA traditional lamp that is burned from oil for various poojas and auspicious occasions in India is known as Silver Deepam, Diya, or Deepak. Every region in India has a bit of a difference in cultures, and that's why you can find different designs of silver deepam with different names across India. In Tamil Nadu, these are known as Kundulus. These have a small bowl of oil, a bit of a cotton wick, and a vertical structure to depict the eight different forms of goddess Lakshmi is a representation of the blessings of good fortune, fertility, power, strength, and knowledge.
Silver Akhand DiyaThe literal meaning of 'Akhand' is 'Unbroken'. This deepam is typically used for an extended period of time without allowing it to extinguish. These deepams are often used during Navratri to please goddess Durga during pooja.
Purchase of DiyasDiyas are always recommended to be purchased at least 15 days prior to Diwali, mostly on Ashwin Purnima, which is a full moon day. Post this; they are soaked in water till they get saturated and ready for use.
When purchasing a diya, you must keep in mind the placement and reason of burning this diya. These can be put in home temples, or around the house for daily poojas, if you prefer to do those. Some silver diyas can also be installed on walls of the house or just particular rooms. Small deepams can be put near windows. The weight and design of the diyas also matter. Since most diyas are small, they can be easily found in any local shop. But with the more elaborate and intricate designs, you must look around first, or head online on JewelFlix to find the best silver deepams.