diwali 2025Image Credit source: Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Diwali Lighting Rules: Diwali, the festival of lights, is the festival of victory of light over darkness and bringing happiness and prosperity in the home. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshiped and the house is illuminated with the light of lamps. But, many times people have a question in their mind whether it is auspicious to re-light last year’s or old earthen lamp (diya) used in puja on Diwali or not? Let us know what the rules say on this subject and what is the correct way of lighting the lamp.
Should old lamps be re-lighted on Diwali?
Earthen lamp rule
For general puja: It is generally considered auspicious to use an earthen lamp (diya) only once. Earthen vessels, once used in worship, are not reused.
On Diwali: Reusing earthen lamps used in the main puja of Diwali is considered inauspicious. It is believed that the soil used in puja absorbs negative energy, hence it should not be used again.
Yama Deepak: The old lamp lit for Yamdev on the night of Dhanteras or Narak Chaturdashi (Chhota Diwali) can be lit with mustard oil. It is dedicated to Yamraj and is burnt to protect the family from untimely death.
Rule of other metal lamps (like brass, silver)
If you use brass, silver or other metal lamps in the puja room or inside the house, they can be reused by cleaning them thoroughly and then purifying them with fire. Burning them again is considered auspicious and also shows responsibility towards the environment.
Do not light broken lamps
Be it Diwali or any puja, lighting a broken lamp is considered extremely inauspicious. It is believed that lighting a broken lamp leads to loss of money and negativity.
What to do with old lamps?
Immersion: After Diwali puja, float the earthen lamps in a holy river or keep them under a holy tree (like Peepal or Tulsi).
Re-use (decoration): If you don’t want to dispose of them, you can use them in home decoration or artistic work.
Important rules for lighting lamps on Diwali
Disha’s focus: It is considered auspicious to always light the lamp facing east or north. While lighting a lamp at the main entrance of the house, its flame should be inwards. Yam Deepak (Dhanteras/Chhoti Diwali) should always be lit in the south direction.
Number: The number of lamps on Diwali should be odd, like 5, 7, 9, 11, 21, 51 or 108. You can light any number of lamps as per your wish, but odd numbers are considered auspicious.
First lamp: While starting the puja, the first lamp should be lit in the temple. Ghee lamp is considered more auspicious than mustard oil lamp.
place: Be sure to light a lamp at the main entrance of the house, living room, southeast corner of the kitchen (south-east), near the Tulsi plant, under the Peepal tree and on the terrace/balcony.
Do not light one lamp after another: According to religious beliefs, one lamp should never be lit from another lamp. It is considered inauspicious. The lamps should be lit separately.
Do not extinguish the lamp: During the puja, take special care that the lamp is not extinguished in any way. The lamp should not be extinguished by hand or by blowing. This is considered disrespect to Goddess Lakshmi.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.