Diya's to decorate your home

by PRATIMA ACHREKAR
Posted on 2008-10-29
I’m sure you have freshly painted your home and renovated it with new ideas for the festive season. Now it is time to bring in that spark of excitement with an array of spectacular colourful lights. After all, Diwali is the ‘festival of lights’. An easy way to give your house the ‘Diwali look’ is to scatter each and every corner of your home with scintillating earthen diyas, candles, twilight lamps etc.
There are various forms of diya’s. From the very traditional ones to the funky modern lamps. You can then use lights to transform your home in a splendid manner that will grab the attention of your family members and your friends.
“I try to get different styles of diya’s from the market to light up my house,” says Radhika Shetye from Panaji.
The purpose of lighting diya’s is to win over the homes as well as the hearts of the people with a proliferation of light. In reality the Diwali diyas together with the Diwali lamps have a special significance since ancient times.
Diwali is celebrated to acknowledge the victory of good over evil. And the lighting of earthen lamps or diyas on a moonless night signifies a new beginning and the end of darkness.
Sharmila, a teenager from Vasco says, “We celebrate Diwali because of the victory of good over evil and to signify this we light lamps. So I try to litter every corner of my house with lit diya’s.”
Diya’s are essentially a constricted form of light emitted by small earthen pots with wicks made up of cotton and some ghee in them.
There are various types of attractive Diwali diyas available in the market during the Diwali occasion. The most modern among these diyas are the electric diyas, which are available in diverse shapes and sizes.
Diwali diyas are available in various forms – diyas with mirror work and zari decorations, diyas adorned with dried flowers, pictures of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi as well as other Diwali patterns are also available in plenty. Diyas are also obtainable in the form of roses, leaves, tulsi and even Goddess Parvati or Lord Ganesha as well.
“Yes, there are various types of diya’s available in stores that make me crazy, because I love to decorate my house and the diya plays a major role during the Diwali season,” says Mithila Parsekar.
You don’t have to wait for Diwali to fill your home with joyous atmosphere…. For an unusual look, buy a few glass diyas or candles (the gel ones are commonly available at most gift shops) and place it in your home in such a way that it is noticeable to everyone.
You can place diyas, candles in brightly coloured ceramic or glass bowls. Fill up the bowls halfway with attractive pebbles, marbles or even coloured seeds. Arrange the bowls on centre and side tables for an attractive display.
Earlier Diwali celebrations meant house cleaning and decoration, performing the traditional Lakshmi puja, lightening of diyas in the evening and a family get-together. But with changing lifestyles, Diwali celebrations have also changed drastically. Now Diwali celebrations mean electric illumination and bursting of firecrackers.
Modern ways to furnish your home – take little diyas and place lit wax tea-lights in each of them. Try arranging them at strategic points around your rangoli. If you are looking for something that you can use year after year, pick up a large metal diya, fill it with water and set afloat a couple of little candles. It will make for a great centrepiece.
To let goodness reign supreme, that is in essence the meaning behind Diwali.
Beautifully crafted diyas attract customers. The earthen diya used on the occasion of Diwali, reflects an ancient design sense that is simple and stunning in concept and universal in appeal. The Diwali season sees a propagation of clay creativity ranging from roadside to designer diyas displayed in art and craft boutiques.
All these beautiful diyas come in vivid colours like golden, blue, yellow, pink, silver, red etc. People purchase diwali gifts, candles and diyas on Diwali. This festival brings the joy and enthusiasm among people. Diwali diya’s are found in temples, homes and even in offices.
People believe that diyas ward off negativity or anything which is evil. This is the reason why people light diyas at night. These diyas also resemble the light of knowledge and wisdom. This is an essential part of a celebration on Diwali. This celebration brings wealth, health, intelligence, long life, fame and fortune in the family.