In a world draped in the veil of ignorance, igniting the light of knowledge, purity, and divinity seems to be the only way to awaken humankind from their somnolence. In India, the symbolism of light transcends its physical presence; bridging the earthly with the divine, illuminating minds and souls.
Rangoli decorated with diyas during diwali celebrations
The Spiritual Significance of Light – From Festivals to Temples
Across religions, the act of lighting a lamp is laden with spiritual significance. In Hindu culture, deepa prajvalan’s warm glow is a conduit to the divine presence and blessings, bringing clarity to one’s life path. Festivals across India like Diwali, Navaratri, and Karthikai Deepam, showcase how light’s symbolic power inspires introspection and peace, reminding individuals to nurture the light within despite life’s uncertainties. This article, by delving into the ritualistic practices of various ancient festivals and traditions will highlight the importance of lamp lighting in the Indian cultural practices.
Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Diwali, or Deepawali, is widely celebrated in India, stretching over four days of vibrant customs and gatherings in the Amavasya (new moon night) of Kartik month, which along with the position of planets brings prosperity. Each of the four days brings unique traditions: In North India, the Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja followed by lighting up homes with diyas is enjoyed by fireworks, feasts, and sweets. South India’s Naraka Chaturdashi, honors Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, with special prayers and family gatherings, while in Maharashtra and Gujarat, business-related rituals like Govardhan Puja mark new financial beginnings. West Bengal, in contrast, venerates Maa Kali, praying for protection and the removal of obstacles through light, incense, and flowers.
Celebrated universally by all religions worldwide today, this festival fills neighborhoods with rows of oil lamps, or diyas, in a visual and spiritual celebration of light, symbolizing Lord Rama’s return home to Ayodhya after his win over the evil Ravana. Diwali’s rituals across regions celebrate India’s cultural diversity and deepen a shared commitment to hope, renewal, and spiritual growth.
Chandan Yatra: A Sacred Journey of Light
Chandan Yatra, or the ‘Sandalwood Journey,’ is a spiritually significant festival in Puri, Odisha, in honor of Lord Jagannatha and his divine companions. Spanning 42 days, it is divided into two phases: Bahara Chandan (external rituals) and Bhitara Chandan (internal rituals). Originating from the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, the festival commemorates Lord Krishna’s instructions to the devotee Madhavendra Puri on the application of sandalwood, or Malaya Chandan, to soothe the deity Gopal from the intense heat. This ritual is observed to this day, starting on Akshaya Tritiya, a day of new beginnings.
A traditional boat journey during Chandan Yatra veneration
During Bahara Chandan, representatives of the main deities, including Madanmohan, Sridevi, Bhudevi, and Pancha Pandava Shiva lingas, are carried from the Jagannatha Temple to the Narendra Tank in a grand procession with fragrant sandalwood paste, incense, and flowers, while temple musicians play traditional Odissi melodies, filling the air with spiritual resonance. The deities then placed in decorated swan-shaped boats are taken on a ceremonial cruise in the tank, enjoying the cooling effects of sandalwood and water.
This deeply symbolic festival reflects the unique divine-human relationship, treating deities with the same comforts desired by humans in the summer heat. Sandalwood represents purity and devotion, with the entire ritual embodying the devotees’ love and reverence. The ceremonial bath in Snana Yatra marks the festival’s climax and the beginning of preparations for the famous Ratha Yatra.
Akash Deep: Illuminating the Heavens
The tradition of Akash Deep, or sky lamps, is a deeply spiritual observance in Hindu culture during the month of Kartik. The lanterns crafted in the octagonal shape of the Kuber Yantra are hung outside homes, symbolically lighting a path for ancestral spirits inviting blessings of prosperity and peace. The practice originated in ancient times, first celebrated in honor of fallen soldiers from the Mahabharata war, making it both a remembrance and an act of gratitude.
Lamps being lit on bamboo poles during Akash Deep festival
Beyond symbolic significance, the Akash Deep ritual creates a purified space through the energies it invites. The lamps, suspended on bamboo poles, utilize the sacred Teja (Fire) Tattva, counteracting the heavy, downward-flowing energies of the Water Tattva prevalent during this period fostering a sattvic atmosphere. In Varanasi, Akash Deep has become a patriotic tradition, with lamps lit along the Ganga River to honor the nation’s warriors and martyrs, supported by organizations like Ganga Seva Nidhi and the Indian armed forces. In both rural and urban settings, Akash Deep connects communities with cosmic forces, bridging the past-present and the earthly-divine.
Konark Sun Temple: Art History, Architecture, Mythology
Konark Sun Temple is a magnificent tribute to Surya, the Sun God. This architectural marvel, built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty embodies Kalinga style. According to ancient texts, Konark was described as Surya’s holy seat, and Samba Purana recounts that Lord Krishna’s son, Samba, built the first Sun temple here in gratitude for being cured of leprosy through Surya’s blessing. King Narasimhadeva I’s temple, constructed centuries later, marked a culminating expression of sun worship, becoming a powerful link in the diffusion of the Surya cult and Brahmanic beliefs.
The engraved wheel in the temple premises
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Konark Sun Temple stands today as both a religious site and an astronomical observatory. The architectural elements of the temple are positioned to catch the first rays of dawn as a tribute to Surya. This attention to solar alignment underscores the temple’s role as a spiritual observatory, celebrating the Sun’s life-giving energy and its cycles through day and night. As sunlight washes over its intricately carved stones, one can almost imagine the once-dominant, over 200 feet shikhara, a towering spire now lost to time, casting shadows that told the story of each hour. The temple’s design as a colossal chariot symbolizes Surya’s celestial journey across the sky, pulled by seven horses and set atop 24 stone wheels representing a day’s 24 hours and the year’s 24 fortnights. Konark’s carvings weave a visual tapestry of everyday life, mythology, and celestial mystery.
Ravan Chhaya: The Art of Light and Shadow
Ravan Chhaya, an ancient form of shadow puppetry from Odisha, brings tales to life through the interplay of light and shadow. Using flat, articulated cut-out figures, often crafted from deerskin, the puppeteer skillfully manipulates these figures by holding them between a light source and a screen. They cast dramatic shadows, creating the illusion of movement and life. Named after the demon king Ravana from the Ramayana, Ravan Chhaya highlights the eternal struggle between good and evil.
The puppets, moved by bamboo sticks, are unique in their design—flat, unjointed figures with perforated outlines, some as tall as two feet. A performance can require around 700 different puppets for diverse characters and emotions of the story. Interestingly, Ravana is given an imposing puppet to cast a more dramatic shadow, reinforcing his role as the antagonist. The performance of Ravan Chhaya, deeply tied music and rhythm, is accompanied by traditional instruments like the Khanjani and Mridanga. Infusing the shadows with light and rhythm guide the emotional pace of the tale, creating a mystical atmosphere, immersing viewers in the world of ancient myths.
The play of light and dark in the Ravana Chaya puppetry
The puppets in Ravana’s story represent moral and philosophical themes, where Ravana’s shadow is both a literal and metaphorical manifestation of his malevolent influence while the divine purity of spiritually perfect Rama, who, according to some interpretations, does not cast a shadow. While Ravan Chhaya is still practiced in villages like Odasa and Kutarimunda, holding cultural significance in Odisha, the tradition is slowly fading and efforts to preserve it are crucial.
The Craft of Lamp Making: Diwali and Beyond
The diyas originating from the Sanskrit word deep, meaning light or lamp, have been a part of Indian tradition for centuries dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. These small oil-filled lamps have evolved from a functional source of light into powerful symbols of hope, unity, and spirituality.
Crafting diyas is an exquisite blend of skill, devotion, and cultural expression where each diya tells a unique story of craftsmanship passed down through time.Traditionally made with clay, artisans hand shape them, often on a potter’s wheel; decorating with vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and even embellishments like beads and sequins. Over time, however, diyas have evolved to include metals such as brass, copper, and silver; often ornate with traditional motifs adding an element of elegance to the festive decor that can be passed down as family heirlooms.
In recent times, diyas have transcended their traditional role by integrating to home decor, adding a touch of warmth and elegance to contemporary spaces– from minimalistic ceramic pieces to intricately designed metal lamps, diyas blend seamlessly with modern aesthetics, offering a fusion of tradition and innovation.
Boita Bandana: Nature’s Light in Tribal Traditions
The Boita Bandana Festival, also known as Bali Yatra, is a profound tradition rooted in Odisha’s maritime history, where light, nature, and rituals intertwine to honor both, their ancestors and the sea. Celebrated on Kartika Purnima, it commemorates the bravery of the Sadhabas, Odisha’s ancient sailors who embarked on perilous voyages across the seas to distant lands such as Bali, Java, and Sumatra. The name Boita Bandana itself evokes a symbolic journey to Bali, signifying the deep connection between the region’s maritime past. The festival’s origins, while still mysterious, trace back to Odisha’s early maritime activities, which predate even the Ashokan era. Odisha’s coastal trade routes, spanning Southeast Asia and the Indian Archipelago, fostered a rich exchange of goods, culture, and knowledge.
Boat decorations as a part of communal festivities during Boita Bandana festival
In this festival, rafted from plantain bark, adorned with flowers, leaves, and lighted lamps, females float miniature boats, known as boitas, at dawn in rivers, lakes, and seas, carrying with them prayers and offerings for the safe return of seafarers. This age-old ritual speaks to the reverence for nature,celebrating cultural pride, community cohesion, and the enduring spirit of exploration.
Women floating miniature boats into the water
Preserving Ancient Crafts
India has been a vibrant home for diverse art forms and craft traditions. Crafts like lamp making and puppetry have existed since time immemorial. Odisha, in particular, is the only Indian state to witness all four forms of puppetry—shadow, rod, glove, and string. However, the advent of technology has led to the decline of these art and craft forms from their original glory. For example, Ravana Chhaya, which starts with the auspicious rituals like breaking the coconut and singing hymns to Lords; technology has irreversibly eroded its performers’ audience base. Government is using these art forms to revive puppetry and popularize its flagship programmes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and spread social/health awareness, which helped the artists in certain but limited ways. The artists, majorly the nomadic Kela community largely refused to partake in government programmes to preserve their autonomy. But they also express being marked as belonging to a marginalized, somewhat reviled group– wanting them to distance themselves from the art.
For crafts like lamp making, earthenwares are being replaced by more aesthetic metal and ceramic wares. The local craftsmen are not able to compete with these changes due to fiscal and vocational constraints. To address these issues various in-house brands are coming together to empower these communities and provide them with the prerequisite support to keep our age-old art and craft practices alive.
A Unified Celebration of Light
Through the act of lighting lamps, Indian culture encourages us to kindle the flame of inner strength and compassion, preserving age-old traditions that link generations in a shared journey towards knowledge, hope, and unity. Lighting a diya, or traditional oil lamp, is not merely a medium of artistic expression, but it dispels darkness and negativity, inviting peace and positivity into homes and sacred spaces.
