Types of Villakku Diya Lamps of India

Lamps of the South
( Villakku Diya )

Nilavilakku -

Nilam in the Malayalam/Tamil language means floor or the ground and vilakku means lamp. Lighting the Nilavilakku on any occasion is believed to be auspicious. Nilavilakku plays an important role in the presentation of various art forms. The art forms are performed after lighting the lamp. In Kerala, many functions are inaugurated by lighting Nilavilakku. 

Paavai villaku - 

Paava Vilakku or a standing lady holding a lamp in brass is a traditional symbol that welcomes every guest in a typical South Indian household. Brass lamps of Paavai vilakku is popular for home , weddings and festival decorations.

There are large stone versions of this lamp in Hindu temples. In shrines of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala these large pavai (lady) sculptures can be seen at the enterence of the temples. They have only one wick. The pavai is looks to be from a noble family with jewellery and costumes.

Ashtalakshmi Vilakku  

Ashtalakshmi Vilakku depicts 8 forms of Lakshmi crafted meticulously on the lamp. Adi Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi are the eight forms of Lakshmi.

Ashtalakshmi Vilakku is a beautiful lamp used for welcoming brides symbolically depicting that they have all the 8 qualities of Lakshmi within them. Meaning prosperity, good health, knowledge, strength, progeny, and power.

Kuthu villaku 

 

Kuthu means stand erect in Tamil. Kuthu vilakku has been in use from the days of the Cholas. The five nozzles are also said to denote the five main elements needed for a successful life — health, wealth, learning, courage and longevity.

Yanai vilakku/ Gaja Vilakku 

Yanai means Elephant. It is believed that Presenting elephant shaped lamps(Yanai vilakku) to their daughters for their prosperity and well being is a custom in South India. 

Thoondamani Vilakku   

Lamp which burns continuously without the necessity of adjusting the wick or pouring oil often. The lamp has a large ball shaped oil container on the top. The Capillary action auto feds oil for the lamp to burn. Thoondamani is popular in temples and places of worship.

Kamakshi Villaku

Hindus believe that Goddess Kamakshi  has  all Goddess of Hindu religion contained within her. Worshiping her equals to praying to all Goddess. The Goddess Kamakshi in the form of light illuminates the knowledge in us and drives out the ignorance. 

Thooku vilakku / Sangili Thongu vilakku

 

 

Thooku means  - to lift. This brass lamp is made to hang with chains. The head of the diya is either Annam or simple spear.  Shanku or Chakara  head Thuku Villaku are also popular.

Nachiarkoil lamp / Annam lamp 

The Nachiarkoil lamp, also called Annam lamp or Nachiarkoil Kuthuvilakku, is an ornamental brass lamp made of series of diyas, a handicraft product which is exclusively made by Pather (Kammalar) community in Nachiyar Koil town in Tamil Nadu, India.

The lamp, which is hollow cast, is made in different sizes and consists of four parts which are screwed together. The central pillar that crowns at the apex is called the "Prabhai"; it is generally in the form of a Hamsa or Annam. Anna pakshi is a mystic swan like bird mentioned in literature.

The bowl of these lamps has five V-shaped spouts which hold cotton wicks, and is filled with oil for lighting. The ornamental lamps are widely used in temples in South India

Deepalakshmi Lamp

      Deepalakshmi is a brass lamp with a depiction of goddess Sri Lakshmi over the back piece, they are usually small - sized and have only one wick.

Malabar Villaku / Lamp

Malabar diya is a traditional oil lamp (nila vizhakku) from the Malabar region of Kerala. Probably used by a temple for daily rituals, this large lamp displays a beautiful “ribbed” pattern that is typical to metal lamps from this region of Kerala .

Buy lamps at best price in India

 Other types of Lamps from India

Odhima Nandha Vilakku

Nandha Vilakku

Thattu Vilakku

Navagraha Villaku