Ben Carter
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by over 1 billion people worldwide. The festival is observed in late October or early November and is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. The celebration involves the lighting of candles, clay lamps, and lanterns, as well as the exchange of gifts and sweets. The number of candles lit during Diwali ranges from a single candle to fifteen, with one source mentioning the symbolic offering of fourteen candles and greens on the Bengali table. The lighting of candles is an integral part of the traditional rituals and is deeply rooted in Hindu culture. The gentle glow of the candles adds to the festive atmosphere, with scented candles being particularly popular.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | Fourteen or more |
| Type of candles | Scented, made of clay or soy wax |
| Purpose of candles | To commemorate the triumph of light over dark and good over evil, and the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment |
| Placement of candles | Throughout homes, streets, and temples |
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What You'll Learn
- Candles are used to celebrate the triumph of light over dark
- Fourteen candles are used in the Bengali Kali Puja
- Candles are lit during family prayer ceremonies
- Candles are used to worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi
- Candles are used to commemorate the victory of Rama's army over the demon king Ravana's army
Candles are used to celebrate the triumph of light over dark
Candles have been used as a source of light for millennia, but they also hold a deeper significance in many cultures and religions. They are often used in rituals and ceremonies to symbolise hope, remembrance, spiritual connection, and the triumph of light over darkness.
Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, is one such celebration where candles and oil lamps are lit to signify the victory of light over darkness. This festival is celebrated annually in October or November and is observed by more than 1 billion people worldwide. In the days leading up to Diwali, homes are cleaned and decorated with candles, and illuminated with diyas (clay lamps filled with oil). The lighting of these candles and lamps symbolises the triumph of good over evil, bringing light to the darkness and casting out evil and ignorance.
The number of candles lit during Diwali can vary, with some sources mentioning "dozens" of candles and lamps, while others refer to the auspicious number of fourteen candles in the Bengali tradition of Kali Puja. These fourteen lamps, or choddo prodeep, symbolise fourteen ancestors, seven from each side of the family. In one instance, a family chose to light fifteen candles, with the last one being distinct or prettier than the others.
Candle lighting rituals are also significant in other religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Pagan traditions. For example, Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, involves a candle-lighting ritual that lasts for eight nights and centres around the menorah, a candelabrum with nine branches. The lighting of the menorah commemorates the miracle of sacred oil lasting for eight days and celebrates the resilience and faith of the Jewish people.
In conclusion, candles are indeed used to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, as evidenced by their prominent role in festivals like Diwali and Hanukkah. These rituals hold deep spiritual significance, symbolising hope, unity, and the dispelling of darkness. The warm glow of candlelight brings comfort and a sense of calm, illuminating the darkness and uniting people across cultures and generations.
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Fourteen candles are used in the Bengali Kali Puja
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by more than 1 billion people worldwide. The festival, which falls somewhere between October and November, is a celebration of good triumphing over evil, symbolised by the use of candles, lanterns, and fireworks to bring light into the darkness.
In Eastern India, Diwali is called Kali Puja. Bengalis celebrate Kali Puja with at least fourteen candles, symbolic of fourteen ancestors, seven from each side of the family. This is a common feature of Hindu celebrations, where the departed are remembered and prayed for before moving on to the ceremonies of the current.
The fourteen lamps or choddo prodeep are placed at various spots around the house, especially near entrances, windows, and dark corners. Some families make the lamps from mud in their gardens, while others use store-bought diyas or candles. The lamps are filled with oil, usually mustard oil, and lit at night. The warm, gentle glow of the lamps is believed to invite the spirits of one's ancestors, illuminating the path for them and welcoming them into the house for the night.
In addition to the fourteen candles, there are a few unique rituals incorporated into Kali Puja. One such ritual is the consumption of choddo shaak, or fourteen types of greens, believed to prevent evil spirits from possessing the body.
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Candles are lit during family prayer ceremonies
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by over 1 billion people worldwide. The festival is observed in late October or early November and is an important cultural and religious event for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.
Diwali is a five-day celebration that marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The festival gets its name from the Sanskrit word "Dipavali", which means "a row of lights". As such, candles and clay lamps called "Diyas" are lit during the festival to illuminate homes, streets, and temples.
On the third day of Diwali, known as the main Diwali, families gather for prayer ceremonies. Women dress in colourful saris and jewellery, and everyone comes together to pray to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, fortune, and beauty, and other deities. In some communities, such as the Bengali Hindus, the goddess Kali is worshipped instead.
The lighting of candles during these family prayer ceremonies is a significant part of Diwali traditions. Candles, or Diyas, are made of pure, natural materials like clay or soy wax derived from soybeans. This reflects the Hindu value of purity and the pursuit of purity and goodness. The warm glow of the candles creates a festive and serene atmosphere, filling homes with positive energy and repelling negativity.
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Candles are used to worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated by over a billion people worldwide. It is observed in late October or early November and is a time for families, friends, and communities to unite and celebrate together. The festival gets its name from the Sanskrit word "Dipavali", which means "a row of lights", and so candles play a central role in the festivities.
Candles, or "Diyas", are made of pure, natural materials like clay or soy wax derived from soybeans. In Hindu culture, purity is highly valued, and lighting a pure and simple source of light signifies the pursuit of purity and goodness. The gentle glow of candles, along with their soothing fragrances, adds a layer of enchantment to the festival. Scented candles, in particular, elevate the Diwali experience.
The act of lighting candles during Diwali is a powerful testament to the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, makes her way to homes on the night of Diwali, and people use candles to light her path. Lighting candles in front of idols or within temples is also thought to summon divine blessings and grace.
Diwali is a time to worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, who symbolise wealth, prosperity, and success. According to Hindu scriptures, Goddess Lakshmi adopted Lord Ganesha and declared that her wealth and prosperity belonged to him. Lord Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and worshipping him ensures that material gains are accompanied by wisdom and judgment. Worshippers light candles to symbolise the presence of divine energy during the puja, or prayer ritual, for Goddess Lakshmi. This involves offering flowers, incense, and sweets to the Goddess while reciting sacred mantras and hymns dedicated to her.
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Candles are used to commemorate the victory of Rama's army over the demon king Ravana's army
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is observed in late October or early November across India and the Indian diaspora by more than 1 billion people worldwide. The festival is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, and has also become a cultural event in North America that is widely celebrated by the South Asian community.
Diwali is a celebration of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, as well as the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment. The name Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word "Dipavali", which means a row or series of lights. Thus, candles placed around the home and in patterns on the floor are central to preparing for the festivities.
Candles, or "Diyas", are made of pure, natural materials like clay or soy wax derived from soybeans. In Hindu culture, purity is highly valued, and lighting a pure and simple source of light signifies the pursuit of purity and goodness. It is also a symbol of spiritual enlightenment, representing inner wisdom, knowledge, and self-awareness.
Lighting candles during Diwali is believed to invoke blessings and divine grace, creating a positive and spiritually charged atmosphere in homes, temples, and during prayer ceremonies. The candles are used to light the path of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, who is believed to make her way into homes on the night of Diwali. The use of candles, lanterns, and fireworks during Diwali brings light into the darkness, casting out evil and ignorance.
While I cannot find specific references to the use of candles to commemorate the victory of Rama's army over the demon king Ravana's army, it is clear that candles and lights play a central role in the Diwali festival, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles, clay lamps, and lanterns are lit to illuminate homes, streets, and temples during the Festival of Lights. While there is no set number of candles to be used, the number 14 is considered auspicious, and some families light 15 candles, with the last one being distinct from the others.
The act of lighting candles or "Diyas" is rooted in the story of Shri Ram's return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon Ravana. His homecoming was marked by the illumination of lamps and candles, signifying the triumph of good over evil.
Diyas are traditionally crafted from clay and feature a cotton wick soaked in ghee or oil. They are also sometimes made from pure, natural materials like soy wax derived from soybeans.
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