Diya (light)

A Diya (also Divaa, Deepa, Deepam or Deepak ) is a simple hand-made oil lamp made ​​of clay or copper. As fuel, mainly simple vegetable oils and ghee are for use, the wick is usually made of a hand- wound cotton thread.

Have their origin Diyas in India, where they are used on the one hand in simple dwellings as an inexpensive light source, on the other hand come in copper design in temples for use where they are ceremonially set on fire during the puja ( Hindu worship ). In many Indian homes a Diya is also present, which is lit allmorgentlich before the altar of the house of God.

During the multi-day Hindu festival Diwali lights many houses are only illuminated with Diyas in India especially in the rural areas, whereas in cities nowadays dominate electric lamps and fairy lights. The background is the assumption that the Goddess Lakshmi and God Ganesha visited only the houses that are well lit.

Also in other religions such as Sikhism or Jainism play Diyas than ceremonial light source a role. In Buddhism, the so-called butter lamps are used instead of vegetable oils, the eponymous yak butter is used here.