Why a lamp is lit at the main door on Diwali night: the beliefs behind the custom

Diwali is celebrated across the country every year. On the occasion, it is customary to keep a lamp lit at the main entrance of the home at night. The lamp is considered the most important symbol of welcoming Goddess Lakshmi. It is also believed to stop negative energy from entering the house and to bring happiness and prosperity.

According to Hinduism and Vastu Shastra, the entrance is regarded as the protective ring of a home and the main centre of its energy. The question is why the lamp is placed at this very spot on Diwali night. There are several beliefs.

The first is about welcoming Lakshmi and prosperity. Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, is believed to enter a home through its main entrance. According to religious belief, she descends to earth on Diwali night, and a lamp is lit that night to welcome her into the home. It is said that placing a lamp at the main entrance brings auspicious results.

The second is about protection from negative energy and relief from Vastu dosh. It is believed that lighting a lamp at the main entrance on Diwali night keeps negative energy from entering the home. The house is also said to be shielded from the evil eye and from poverty. The practice is regarded as highly auspicious and fruitful. It is also believed to increase the flow of positive energy in the home and pacify Vastu dosh.

The third is about protection from calamities. During the days of Diwali, placing a lamp filled with mustard or sesame oil at the door is regarded as a mark of respect to Yamraj. It is also a prayer to protect the family from untimely death and misfortune.

Certain points are advised when placing the lamp. A lamp filled with sesame or mustard oil at the main entrance is considered auspicious. The lamp should not be placed directly on the ground; flower petals or rice (akshat) should always be kept beneath it. One lamp should be placed on each side of the main door, left and right. A lamp whose flame faces north or east is considered the most auspicious.

These matters of religion, astrology, Vastu and feng shui are meant only for readers' information. Readers are advised to consult experts before trying any of the practices.