Date:26/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/26/stories/2007102652760500.htm

Tamil Nadu

Festival of lights

Deepavali is the festival of lights and lighting a deepam on this day is sacramental as it eradicates the darkness and unwanted evil force from the house bringing radiance and light into the household.

A kuthuvillaku has five wicks and lighting these faces has particular significances If you light one wicks it will give beneficial only to you; if two wicks are lit it will bring in proper understand and unity of the family: lighting three faces will bring in progeny into the family: if for wicks are lit it will bring in immense wealth land and cows; lighting five faces will bring in abundant wealth into the family.

It is believed that lighting a deepam facing south will bring in abundant wealth and prosperity and removes the obstacles of marriage and education paving way for a peaceful life. Lighting a deepam facing north is considered a great sin. Tradition says that women of loose morals, those who live away from their husbands, menstruating women and widows should not light deepam. Even if they do so it will not bring any good to them.

Young girls who long for a good and caring husband, those who seek jobs, those who care for the will being of their family and those who long for filial issues can light deepam in the evening to seek the blessings of Mahalakshmi who will fulfil their wishes. If one pines for prosperity and well being of the family, then women of the house hold must light the ‘kuthuvillaku’ in between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. will bring in the benedictions from the Almighty .To eradicate evil and ignorance from the household and to bring in spiritual light into the hearts and conscience of the inhabitants of lighting a deepam or a kuthuvillaku.

Let us all tread towards this spiritual light and make our homes and our surroundings an abode of peace. However, the lighting festival bring out not only prosperity but also the development of relationship among the surrounding residents the new clothes, gift articles were also give them happy mood on that occasion.