Significance of Using Different Oils and Diyas
The Significance Of Using Different Oils And Diyas
Lighting a diya is one of the simplest yet most powerful parts of Hindu worship, whether you are in India or in a small flat in the UK. People believe that the oil, ghee, wick, and even the type of diya you choose can influence the energy and intention of your prayer.
What is the spiritual meaning of different oils and diyas?
In Sanatana Dharma, the deepam (lamp) represents the light of knowledge removing the darkness of ignorance. The oil or ghee stands for our inner impurities, and the wick stands for the ego; when the lamp is lit, both are “burnt” away in devotion, leaving light behind.
Different oils are associated with different kinds of blessings, peace, prosperity, protection, and good relationships. The material of the diya, such as brass or clay, also adds its own vibration and stability to your puja corner.
Giri UK’s Puja oil and Traditional Indian Brass Oil Lamps & Deepams sections bring together lamp oils, ready-to-use ghee diyas, brass deepams, wicks, and accessories so you can set up a meaningful, safe, and convenient lamp ritual at home in the UK.
Why choose specific deepam oils?
Traditional guidance suggests that each oil has a different subtle effect:
- Sesame/gingelly oil (nallennai) is known for removing negativity and doshas and is often recommended for regular lamps and Shani-related prayers.
- Ghee is considered the purest fuel, linked with sattva, spiritual clarity, and health; it is widely used in Lakshmi, Vishnu, and homa rituals.
- Blended lamp oils combine the benefits of multiple deepam oils to support peace, prosperity, and protection.
On Giri UK, Akhanda Deep (fragrant) oil and Akhanda Deep Lamp Oil contain a mix of coconut, sesame, castor, mohua oil, and ghee to give a long, soot-free flame and are described as bringing health, wealth, good relationships, and positive energy into the home. Dheepam Lamp Oil PET Bottle offers a clean-burning option for daily deepam lighting. If you prefer something simple and mildly fragrant, Giri Lamp Oil is made specifically for lamps, with a soft aroma suitable for daily use in UK homes.
Where do special diyas and oils fit in (including lemon or orange peels)?
Using lemon peel, orange peel, or other natural bases as diyas is a modern extension of the same principle, offering light through a pure, natural medium. Some devotees hollow out a lemon or orange, fill it with deepam oil or ghee, and place a wick inside during special pujas for cleansing and prosperity. The citrus peel is believed to add a subtle purifying, refreshing vibration to the ritual.
Even if you do not always use peel diyas, you can still align your lamps with specific intentions:
- For Vastu and protection, lighting a Brass Vastu Deepam shaped like a tortoise is said to help balance energies and fix Vastu problems when used regularly.
- For wealth and abundance, the Kubera Vilakku Deepam is associated with Lord Kubera, the deity of prosperity, and is commonly lit near cash boxes or home altars dedicated to wealth.
- For strong devotional focus, a Saptamukhi brass lamp with a chain with seven flames can be hung or placed at festivals, homas, or special vratas.
All of these can be lit with Akhanda Deep Lamp Oil, Dheepam Lamp Oil, or pure ghee-based diyas depending on your sankalpam (intention).
Who should use ghee diyas and when?
Ghee diyas are considered especially auspicious and sattvic, often reserved for Fridays, Pournami (full moon), and special Lakshmi or Vishnu pujas. Many families also light at least one ghee diya daily alongside regular oil lamps.
For convenience in the UK, Giri UK offers Giri Pure Ghee Moulded (Sandal) Diya, which are ready-to-use cow ghee diyas embedded with a wick. You simply place them in a safe holder and light them; there’s no need to pour ghee or roll wicks each time.
There is also the Iyarkai Ghee Deepam Single, a clay diya pre-filled with ghee, ideal if you want a single, pure ghee lamp for a Friday or special vratham. These are perfect for working professionals or students who want the benefit of ghee deepam without extra preparation time.
Regular brass oil lamps can be lit daily using cotton wicks. Giri UK’s Cotton Wicks pack gives enough wicks to light a lamp every day for several years, making it very practical for routine puja. For special remedies, Vazhathandu Thiri (banana stem wick) is It is recommended that this oil, when used with a good quality oil, is believed to remove negative vibrations and assist in seeking forgiveness for past mistakes.
With the right combination of oils, wicks, and diyas from Giri UK, every Indian family in the UK from north to south, can recreate the comforting glow of home deepams in a safe, simple way.
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