ON LIGHTING A LAMP....

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Lighting a lamp is an age old tradition and custom and had it’s roots dated back to 4,500 3000 B.C. One will be very busy searching for different styles while decorating their houses for festivals, marriages and other important functions irrespective of their religion or race-transcending all national, international and cultural barriers. It can be said with emphasis that there is no household where at least a candle is not lighted at least once in a day. Lighting a lamp is for pleasure, for joy, for driving the negativity away and finally for brightening our inner light. There are different types of lamps made up of earthen pots, brass, iron, pancha loha (five metals), silver and Gold. While the lighting a lamp made up of earthen pots was confined to common man, the usage of silver and Gold lamps were meant for the rich and elite class. Besides this, we also come across lamps made up of fruits, vegetables, floor etc, which are of course used for different occasions and associated with different purposes. In the past, the lamps made of earthen material were not easily available and demand and supply gap was more, making them available more easily to the reach of rich middle class while other people were using a floor for the purpose. The flour was made into a solid paste (duff) and a shape was given to light a lamp in the house. After the purpose is over the lamp was released into a river or any water place so that at least the remainder may serve the food requirement of creatures like frogs, fish , and others. Besides this, there are lamps targeted to a specific Gods. There are specific oils used for specific purposes and various types of wicks to light for specific God and with specific purpose the discussion of which will be an another big story. For Ex; the solar worship is in existence in all most all religions and ancient mythologies of the world though the Sun God appears with different names. In African mythology-Anyanwu, Magec, Ngai, Mawu, In Australian Mythology-Wala, Yhi, Karraur, Arabian Mythology –Malakbel, Aztec Mythology-Nanauatzin, Bask Mythology-Ekhi, Brazilian Mythology-Meri, Buddhism-Merici, Canaanite Mythology-Shapash, Chinese Mythology-Yuyi & Xu Kai, Egyptian Mythology-Ra, German Mythology-Sol, Greek Mythology-Apollo, Helios, Hyperion, Hindu Mythology-Agni, Ravi, Surya,Savitr. The Sun God is worshipped for good health in allforms. For fulfillment of desires, the Gods like Ganesh, sankata vimochana Ganapathi, Kshetrapal, Gouri Ganesh are worshipped lighting the lamp made of floor. Here, the lamp is prepared using flour and a wick is dipped in Ghee and it is lighted. Afterwards, the flour lamp is fed to the cow. Though this is accepted as the most sacred way of lighting a lamp, some people prefer to leave the floor in a flowing water, or river and consider that it is the sacred way of lighting the lamp in its totality. For a relief from black fever lighting a flour lamp is considered as the appropriate one and for keeping away the diseases like Diarrhea, and Measles lighting a flour lamp in the temples is suggested in ancient texts. Diyas (light lamps) could be inflamed made up of fruits and leaves apart from being made up of earthen pots, gold, silver brass, and floor etc. SOME INTERESTING THINGS . While praying votive offering in temples, lighting diyas in odd numbers such as 3, 5, 7, and 9 is supposed to keep diarrhoea and measles at length. • Silver lamp: IS used to please the moon God, silver diya is inflamed. This action is supposed to keep penury at an abeyance. • Gold lamps: Golden lamp is inflamed to be blessed with wealth and to be cured of some serious disease like cancer etc. This lamp is inflamed to expand the business also. • Iron lamp: To appease God Shani, this diya is inflamed. • Earthen lamp: The significance of the earthen lamp is paramount in all types of prayers and worshipping, and religious rituals. • Brass lamps: Brass is easily available , therefore brass lamps are inflamed in every household for general well-being . Lighting lamps made up of vegetables • Lemon lamp: Lemon lamp is inflamed in some special religious performance. • Pumpkin lamps: It is inflamed after the 'Devi Pooja'. • Coconut lamp: Coconut oil is made in the hard skin of the coconut and the wick is then put on to it with ghee or oil. This is said to be propitious for child bit and bringing good fortune and wealth. Thus, the lighting lamps is not confirned to one particular religion and it has it's roots in the ancient texts of all religions.