I have always been fascinated by ghee lamps (diyas). So, I went out and bought a diya, ghee, and cotton wicks. Actually I bought a lamp thingy - a few tiers, topped with a peacock. Reminds me of and resembles the sanjak of the Yezidis.
Now, how exactly do you light these things? I tried dipping the wicks into the liquid ghee, but then as the flame burned the thin part of the wick, the entire cotton ball started burning. I lit a few, and all burned half way and then went out.
Am I doing it right? How does one put ghee on the wick or dip the wick into the ghee? Do I use the solid part of the ghee or the liquid?
Thanks!
WRS - despite the darkness of Angband, We like fire.
Too bad this links only to a poem, followed by some incoherent and contrarian comments.
Whereas this explains the symbolic value of the diya lamp. As does this in greater detail, while placing it in a larger and more ancient tradition in human history, of using fire or light to symbolize enlightenment or knowledge.
This contextualizes (but tersely) the diya lamp in the Arti ceremony.
None of these links spells out how to light the damn thing, though.
