1...KUTHUVILAKKU (oil lamp) (குத்துவிளக்கு)

 
Last Friday I went to temple to take part in the Tiruvillaku poojai....This thiruvillaku poojai will be celebrated on August (known as Aadi mahsam).. During the month of " Aadi" on the full moon day we have the Thiruviakku pooja. There is no constriction regarding the number of devotees sitting in front of the lamp. 
Priest who is well versed in the Vedic incantations come here and lead the pooja..

Here I would like to share some info regarding the Kuthuvillaku..

1) Kuthuvillaku MEANS....

Light symbolizes knowledge and Isana is the origin of knowledge. Knowledge is the everlasting wealth that is capable of removing ignorance just as the light removes darkness. An oil lamp is lit to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vasanaas or vices and the cotton wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards and similarly one should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals.

The three Gods Bramha, Vishnu and Shiva are believed to be present in the Vilakku. At the base part is Bramha,the middle part Vishnu and the broad part on top is Shiva

The Glow of the vilakku is represented as Goddess Lakshmi,the Light by Goddess Saraswati and the Heat by Goddess Parvati.

The five petals or nozzles are also said to denote the five main elements are supposed to represent the five elements of Nature — earth, water, fire, air and sky or space. The five nozzles are also said to denote the five main elements needed for a successful life — health, wealth, learning, courage and longevity.

2) Shloka to SAY before and after lighting   
   the villaku

Before starting our daily prayers, we light the Oil lamp by chanting a shloka:

Subham Karoti Kalyanam, Arogyam Dhana Sampadah, Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya Deepa Jyotir Namostute.

" I salute the One who is the lamplight that brings auspiciousness; prosperity, good health, abundance of wealth, and the destruction of the intellect’s enemy (6 enemies - Kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya)". After lighting the lamp we chant the following

shloka or prayer:

Deepajyothi Parabrahma, Deepajyothi Janardhana, Deepo me hara tu paapam, Deepa Jyothir Namostute

I salute the Brahman, the sustainer of the creation, in the form of this light. I salute the Lord, may He destroy afflictions resulting from my omissions and commissions.

3)Types of Lamp:

Nilavilakku- normally used in Kerala (Malayala)

Photo from google

Anna pakshi/mystic swan/hamsa 

Photo from google

Birds that look like peacock/Swan but not actually Swan/Peacocks, these birds are said to be mystical white colour birds that live in heaven, known for the purity. They are said to be so pure that if you keep milk mixed with water, they can separate water from milk and drink only pure milk. Saraswati is also referred to as Hamsavahini which means she who has a hamsa as her vehicle.

Hence it is good to light Hamsa lamp at those houses were kids are under studying stage.

 Kuthu vilakku

Photo from google

  

Importance of kuthu Vilakku (Five Nozzles lamp)Ancient scriptures from Vedic period does state the five nozzles of traditional lamps denote the five main elements that represents the five elements of nature- Earth, Water.Fire,Air and Sky ,The five nozzles are also said to denote the five main elements needed for a successful life – Health,Wealth,Learning,Courage and longevity.

The enviroment of Thiruvillaku Poojai...(pics from google coz I couldnt manage to snap pics on that day....)