Significance of Lighting Lamp at temple

Why do we light lamp?

In almost every Indian home a lamp is lit daily before the alter of the Lord. In some houses it is lit

at dawn, in some twice a day - at dawn and dusk - and in a few it is maintained continuously

(Akhanda  Deepam).All auspicious functions commences with the lighting of the lamp,which is

often maintained right through the occasion. Light symbolizes Knowledge, and darkness igno

rance.The Lord is the “Knowledge principle” who is the source, the enlivened (lively or spirited)

and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshiped as the Lord himself.  Knowledge

removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting  inner wealth by

which all our achievement can be accomplished. Hence we light lamp to bow down to knowl

edge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.

The oil or ghee in the Lamp symbolizes our visions or negative tendencies and the wick,the ego.

When we lit by spiritual knowledge, the visions get slowly exhausted and ego too finally perishes.

The flame of the Lamp always burns upwards,Similarly we should acquire such knowledge to

take us towards higher ideas.

Following points to be noted while lighting lamps:

The Lamp can be lit by Ghee or Oil.

Lighting with Cow’s Ghee destroys poverty, gives good Health, Peace and Bliss.

Sesame Oil / Gingelly Oil destroys evils, helps in elimination of difficulties.

Lighting with Castor Oil helps to acquire fame, name and happiness in the family.

Lighting with Neem Oil,  Illupai Oil (Mahua tree) gives Wealth.

Panchadeepa Oil:

This is extremely suggestible to light Lamps to nullify all evil effects in home and keep peace by

eliminating evil eye, bad thoughts, Illness and poverty.

This Oil is the Combination of Coconut oil / Gingelly oil, Castor oil, Neem oil, Illupai oil (oil from

Mahua tree) and Cow's Ghee.

*We should not use Groundnut Oil for lighting lamp.

The Cotton Wick (thiri) is best as it would give Prosperity and all good fortune.

The Banana stem fibre Wick removes offences before God and ancestral curse.

The Lotus stem fibre Wick removes karma from previous birth.

The White Maddar plant of the bark Wick increases the wealth and dispels misfortunes

New Yellow Cotton cloth Wick obtains Grace of Devi’s blessings.

New Red Cotton cloth Wick removes any marriage and child bearing obstacles.

The Lamp lit towards the  EAST removes Sorrow and Evil.

The Lamp lit towards the WEST removes Debt and Enemies.

The Lamp lit towards the NORTH achieves all over success as the most preferable

direction.

Never Light a Lamp towards SOUTH, being regarded as inauspicious.

Always use Two wicks for lighting Lamp.

Single wick gives general benefits and success.

Two wicks blesses with harmony and success.

Three wicks blesses with Progeny.

Four wicks will bring all round success and extravagant victuals.

Five wicks bless us with Akhanda Aishwaryam or Wealth in all aspects.

Six wicks bless us with Knowledge and Renunciation.

After lighting the lamp don’t rub the excess oil on you hair, (it will make you lose your wealth)

Never keep any lamp directly on the Kolam (Rangoli). Always keep it on a plate(can be brass,

silver or steel). If you like keep a few grain of raw rice below the Lamp. After head bath, one

should remove the head towel before even lighting the lamp.

Lemon Deepam (Lamp) should not be light at home at all, Only in temples. Those who Light

LEMON LAMP will excel in studies, un-married will find a good partner, married ladies will have

happy married life and their families will prosper, the childless couple will be blessed with child

and prosperous life.

Those who Light the ASH GOURD LAMP will be supportive for those who have sufferings and

Dhoshas.

Those who light COCONUT LAMP will be propitious for child birth and brings good Fortune and

wealth

Lighting a CLAY LAMP using black pepper tied in a small  red cotton cloth like ball using

Gingelly oil will destroy afflictions resulting omissions and possible stays awake at night is freed

from great sins.

 PRAYER WHILE LIGHTING THE LAMP

Shubham Karothi Kalayaannam - Aarogyam Dhana - Sampadhaa

Shathru - Buddhi - Vinaashaaya Deepa - Jyothr - Namosthuthe

Deepaaa - Jyothi: Para - Brahma: Dheepa - Jyothir - Janardhana

Dheepo Harathu me Paadam  Dheepa - Jyoythir – Namosthuthe

I salute the one who is the Light of lamp that brings auspiciousness, prosperity, good health abundance of

wealth,and the destruction of the intellects enemy.

I salute Brahma: the sustainers of the creation, in the form of this light , I salute the lord may he destroy afflict

tions resulting from omissions.

Pra Dakshinam

Pra - the letter “Pra” removes all fears and worries

Da - the letter “Da” blesses with Moksha / Renunciation.

kshi - the letter “kshi” removes all kinds of diseases.

nam - the letter “nam” blesses with all round prosperity and wealth.

Pra Dhakshinam mens circumambulating the temple, as a part of worshipping. There are cer

tain rules for doing Pra Dhakshinam .

In shiva temples, one should not circumbulate in full circle inside the temple. it’s because of the

Gomukhi is never crossed.Gomukhi is the place where the water after anointing (Abhisheka

thirtam) would be flowing north wards out. The Pra Dhakshinam must be started the Dhwa

jastamba in clock wise direction. While observing this one must walk slowly chanting the Lords

name. DuringPra-Dhakshinam on must hold hands together, and our thoughts should be mainly

on God, thus we chant Ashotra or any short verses of the Deity

Certain rules may be applicable while doing number of Pra Dhakshinam for a deity.

ONE TIME for Sri Lord Ganapathy.

TWO TIMES for Sun God

THREE TIMES for Shiva

FOUR TIMES for Maha Vishnu

FIVE TIMES for Mother Goddess

SEVEN TIMES for “Aryal” (Peepul tree). Should be done in the morning.

                 *Doing PraDhakshinam TWENTY ONE TIMES to any deity is sanctified

  *During Abhishekam and Alankaram Of the Deity one should not do Pra-Dhakshinam*