| Diwali is appropriately known as the festival of | | | | the names of the successive lamps. More recent |
| lights and the name has evolved from the word | | | | ones are the lamps in Bethany, Jerusalem and |
| Deepavali. It is one of the most effervescent | | | | Golgotha styles. |
| festivals of India that surpasses religious and | | | | Contemporary: |
| geographic boundaries. Deepavali; in the literal | | | | The Diwali diyas in recent times, are more ornate |
| sense, means a row of lamps and is symbolic of | | | | and more of a decorative piece in addition to |
| the lighting that are integral to the festival. | | | | serving the purpose of illumination. Attractive |
| Traditionally, Diwali is celebrated with spectacular | | | | candles may be used to festoon the entrance and |
| illumination; laced with exquisite lamps that are | | | | rangoli areas. The art of embellishing the traditional |
| crafted out of clay. They are an integral part of | | | | clay lamps is a widely seen phenomenon and an |
| the festivities and add to the fervor of Diwali. | | | | integral part of the Diwali craft. |
| Since it is a five day event, Diwali diyas find | | | | The Purpose |
| prominence on all the five days, more so, on the | | | | The main purpose of Diwali lamps may be to |
| first and the third day. Houses and surroundings | | | | festoon homes during Diwali, but there is much |
| are lit up with an array of clay lamps. The sight is | | | | more to these versatile diyas. They are used to |
| indeed so spectacular that Diwali is appropriately | | | | offer respects to the deceased ancestors and |
| known as the festival of lights. | | | | are floated on leaves in the holy rivers of India. |
| The History | | | | This ritual is widely practiced during the festive |
| In recent times, various forms of craft and | | | | occasion. |
| embellishments have gained prominence in Diwali | | | | The Enchanting World |
| decorations. In keeping with the present trends, | | | | The miscellany is manifold as there are traditional |
| these adornments are embellished with beads, | | | | potter-made diyas and the commercially |
| paint, mirror work and sequins, in order to | | | | manufactured ones. The latter is available in many |
| enhance the appearance. In addition to the | | | | varieties and a wide range of designs. They may |
| decorative importance, there are several | | | | be embellished with zari, mirror work and beads. |
| mythological aspects that are entrenched deep | | | | Besides, there may be gems of precious stones |
| into the tradition. | | | | and other decorative items. The latest rage is |
| The history of clay lamps dates back to 2700BC | | | | that of electric diyas that are easy to handle and |
| or earlier and among the earliest of diyas was the | | | | nonetheless enthralling. |
| saucer shaped lamp. The styles then changed | | | | Diwali diyas crafted by ceramic designers are a |
| from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age and they | | | | rage too more so in the urban locales. Creative |
| were used in few areas into the medieval times. | | | | ones with sharply cut edges, decorated with |
| They developed in antiquity and the shallow bowl | | | | cutwork and filled with bright colored wax, look |
| with edges was folded to form a spout. This was | | | | attractive and are easy to handle. Fragrant and |
| followed by the Herodian style which was named | | | | dried flowers may also be used to decorate it. |
| after its wide usage during the reign of Herod the | | | | Clay or ceramic Diwali lamps in vivid colors add to |
| Great. Darom, Hebron, Marisa and Askelon were | | | | the effervescence of the festival. |