New Delhi:
One cannot imagine the festival of Diwali without the diyas, which enlighten homes and souls on this auspicious day. The gleam of diyas or the earthen lamp makes Diwali a very special one for all.
Diya is lightened with oil and cotton wick. The oil represents the dirt (greed, jealousy, hatred, lust etc), while the cotton wick is symbolises aatman (self). The diya teaches one to get rid of materialism in order to unite with the supreme power.
A Diya also symbolises knowledge.
The word Deepavali is derived from the words Deepon ki avail, which means 'row of lamps'. The festival marks the victory of good over evil. In Hindu mythology, Ayodhya people had welcomed Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman when they returned after 14 years exile.
Lord Ram, Lakshman, Lord Hanuman and an army of monkey and Vanar Raj Sugreeva had defeated Lanka King Ravana, who had abducted Sita.
