The flame of an oil lamp is held by a wick, which is often braided cotton. The liquid fuel, which is commonly used ‘oil’, evaporates and burns when it comes into contact with the flame. The lamp's wick has an impact on how it burns. The size of the wick determines how much fuel is drawn into the flame. If there is too much fuel, the flame will flicker and soot, and if there is not enough fuel, the flame will fizzle out. Wicks come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes. The type of wick you use is determined by a number of criteria, including the intended application, the burn time, and the wax or oil used. It's critical to choose the correct wick.
Pattanam, a village rooted in the religious traditions of the temples of Madurai, falls under the Madhurai district in Tamil Nadu. People from the village are traditional wick-makers, reflecting a strong sense of community, using years of braiding techniques to make wicks of natural products like lotus stems, banana stems, and other leftovers. They believe these wicks symbolize specific deities. They began making these wicks in the 1970s.
The choice of lamp, wick, oil, and even the direction in which the lamp is pointed brings very different virtues upon the worshipper.
Lighting lamps with white madar wicks or erukku wicks attracts the blessings of Lord Ganesh. The wick is a symbol of energy and said to be useful in the removal of obstacles from life.
They are made from small fibers of the white madar plant and are used with cotton wicks to keep the lamp burning longer.
The Lotus Stem Wick is carefully handcrafted from the natural fibers of lotus flower stalks, is said to bring the worshipper the blessings of the Indu goddesses Maha Lakshmi Maa and Sarasvati Maa.
Lighting a diya with Lotus Stem Wicks is known to bring good fortune and abundance to the house and office.
Banana stem wicks, also called Vazhaithandu thiri, are made from the fibers of the banana stem in a lengthy drawing process with the hands. Lord Shiva and Lord Murugra are the main deities worshipped with these wicks.
When you light a lamp with these banana wicks, it is believed that, bad karma is removed and obstacles are cleared out of the way.
