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| Deepam, दीपम् - Lamp |
Another reason to offer "Deep (दीपम्)" is that the fire is a god in whose presence only all the worship should be performed. Everything offered to Gods is carried to them by fire god (अग्निदेव) and he remains as a witness to our worship. The "Deep" remains lit throughout the worship. At the end of the worship, the "Aarati" is performed for which another "Deep" is used. At Temples of great importance, the lamp remains lit 24X7 and care is taken so that the lamp is not put off. Such lamps are called "Akhand Deep" in Sanskrit. "Aarati" is also performed near ghats of holy rivers like Ganga. The Ganga "Aarati" at Benaras and Haridwar is famous where thousands of people including that of other religions gather to see the awesome scene.
Another worship that is performed with lamps at river ghats is the "Deepdan". In a plate of Sal tree leaves, the river goddess is worshiped with flowers, vermilion, incense sticks and lamps. Then this plate with a lit lamp over the flowers is floated on the surface of river water. The floating series of lamps in the evening presents a fascinating scene.
The thread used to light the lamp is made of cotton which is called "Baati" while the fuel is mostly clarified butter (Ghee-घी). Sometimes sesame oil is also used as fuel. But if the worship is for "Shani Dev" then mustard oil is used in the lamp (Deepam).
Even without worship, the lamp represents happiness. When Lord Rama returned Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, the whole city was happy and welcomed him with many lamps lit in front of each house. It was such an unprecedented occasion that it began to be celebrated every year till date and became a festival named "Deepawali" - The festival of lights. On this day the Goddess of wealth "Lakshmi" is also worshiped.
Though electric and LED bulbs are widely used on the occasion of "Deepawali" but traditionally earthen lamps with mustard oil or "Karanj" oil is used. Even in daily worship people used earthen lamps in rural areas. These were cheap and used once only. Now brass lamps have replaced the earthen lamps which are durable, unbreakable and reused after cleaning.
Another ritual in Hindu household is the lighting of the lamp in the evening at dusk. At this time of twilight which is also called "Godhuli -Bela" (When cows return to their houses after grazing the whole day in the field), the evening lamp (Sandhya deep) is lit by the ladies and taken to each room, outside the house it is shown to the setting Sun and then to the "Tulsi" plant.
Depending upon the provision of the number of threads to be lit in a lamp it is named accordingly. A "Chowmukhi Deep" has four threads in four directions which are used on "Deepawali" in Lakshmi Puja. Another is "Panchmukhi Deep" in which fifth thread is in the vertical direction. A "Navagrah Deep" has eight threads in eight directions and the ninth thread is in the vertical direction which is for Sun god. Thus nine threads are for nine planets.
Another use of earthen lamp is in "Akashdeep" which is known as "Kandeel" in Hindi. It a small framework made of bamboo sticks and covered with glossy or matte colorful papers. Inside it, a lamp is lit whole night while it is hung on a bamboo pole or other high structure. This "Akashdeep" or "Kandeel" is lit from about 10 days before Deepawali to show the way to the spirits of forefathers who visit on that occasion to bless the family. But this tradition is now replaced to a great extent as colorful electric bulbs are used in place of earthen lamps.
Beautiful "Kandeels" are sold at Amazon near Deepawali. They also sell amazing decorative hanging lights for interior decorations at THIS LINK.
Mantras for offering Lamp in worship
While showing the gods a lit lamp, following mantra is spoken:-
साज्यं च वर्तिसंयुक्तं वह्निना योजितं मया।
Another worship that is performed with lamps at river ghats is the "Deepdan". In a plate of Sal tree leaves, the river goddess is worshiped with flowers, vermilion, incense sticks and lamps. Then this plate with a lit lamp over the flowers is floated on the surface of river water. The floating series of lamps in the evening presents a fascinating scene.
The thread used to light the lamp is made of cotton which is called "Baati" while the fuel is mostly clarified butter (Ghee-घी). Sometimes sesame oil is also used as fuel. But if the worship is for "Shani Dev" then mustard oil is used in the lamp (Deepam).
Even without worship, the lamp represents happiness. When Lord Rama returned Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, the whole city was happy and welcomed him with many lamps lit in front of each house. It was such an unprecedented occasion that it began to be celebrated every year till date and became a festival named "Deepawali" - The festival of lights. On this day the Goddess of wealth "Lakshmi" is also worshiped.
Though electric and LED bulbs are widely used on the occasion of "Deepawali" but traditionally earthen lamps with mustard oil or "Karanj" oil is used. Even in daily worship people used earthen lamps in rural areas. These were cheap and used once only. Now brass lamps have replaced the earthen lamps which are durable, unbreakable and reused after cleaning.
Another ritual in Hindu household is the lighting of the lamp in the evening at dusk. At this time of twilight which is also called "Godhuli -Bela" (When cows return to their houses after grazing the whole day in the field), the evening lamp (Sandhya deep) is lit by the ladies and taken to each room, outside the house it is shown to the setting Sun and then to the "Tulsi" plant.
Depending upon the provision of the number of threads to be lit in a lamp it is named accordingly. A "Chowmukhi Deep" has four threads in four directions which are used on "Deepawali" in Lakshmi Puja. Another is "Panchmukhi Deep" in which fifth thread is in the vertical direction. A "Navagrah Deep" has eight threads in eight directions and the ninth thread is in the vertical direction which is for Sun god. Thus nine threads are for nine planets.
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| Akashdeep/Kandeel- A sketch showing use of six squares made from wire or bamboo sticks, then covering the structure with colorful papers |
Beautiful "Kandeels" are sold at Amazon near Deepawali. They also sell amazing decorative hanging lights for interior decorations at THIS LINK.
Mantras for offering Lamp in worship
While showing the gods a lit lamp, following mantra is spoken:-
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| दीपज्योतिर्नमस्तुते।-Deepam |
दीपं गृहाण देवेश ! त्रैलोक्यतिमिरापहं।|
भक्त्या दीपं प्रयच्छामि देवाय परमात्मने।
त्राहि मां निरयाद घोराद दीपज्योतिर्नमस्तुते।।
(Saajyan ch varti-sanyuktan vahnina yojitan mayaa,
Deepam grihaan devesha ! trailokya-timirapaham.
Bhaktya deepam pryachchhami devaaya parmatmane,
Trahi mam niryaad ghoraad deep-jyotirnamastute.)
Following mantra is spoken in the evening while showing the "Sandhya Deep":--
दीप ज्योतिः परब्रह्म दीप ज्योतिः जनार्दनः।
दीपज्योतिः लक्ष्मी बस, संध्या देवी नमोस्तुते।।
(Deep Jyotih Parbrahma deep Jyotih Janardanah,
Deepjyotih Lakshmi vasa, Sandhyadevi Namostute)
Note: You can buy "Deep" for puja from the local market or gron the online site like Amazon. Different types of Puja Accessories are available there. They sell beautiful brass Deepak for daily Puja and decorative Deepaks also at THIS LINK.
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