BRASS LAMPS

1. Kampi vilakku

I have special reason to start with Kampi vilakku. The reason is it is used in
Kerala temples during sreebali. So Kampi vilakku will be lighted three times for
morning, after noon and night during sreebali. The varier will be carrying the
Kampivilakku before the deity. It will be lighted during the time only and put
of after sreebali.

During utsavam where the deity will be stopping at different natas, the lamp
will be placed before the pachyderm at a distance that its thumbikkai (trunk)
will not touch the lamp.  There will be only one deepam in the lamp.  Having
nothing to do, the pachyderm used to wave the thumbikkai always around the
lamp!!

The Kampi vilakku has a diameter of about 5 inches and depth of about one inch.
On one side there is a fitting to which a movable handle will be attached for
about 3 feet length. The varier will be holding about the middle of the handle
with his right hand so that while moving the flame will not harm his hand and at
a height of above one feet from the ground level.

If rain is there the lamp will be held vertically by him keeping an umbrella in
the left hand. The lamp should never go off during sribali. The number of wicks
will be thick and more on this account.  The lamp is also called sreebali
vilakku.

2. Varier sir

I had a Principal belonging to Varier community in the training centre at
Trivandrum during 1993's. He belonged to Alleppy and his family had Kazhakam at
Mullaakal temple at that time.

On week ends he used to go to Alleppy and he used to ensure, during sreebali to
take the kampi vilakku before the deity.  On this account he used to remark" Is
it not our real job and lively hood". He retired as Director of Alleppy
communications in 2000's.  He never used to call any of us by name.

3. Changala moota.

Changala moota is a special lamp which has got a small pot like container with
extension to either side for about 5 inches. One side is handling and other side
is a wick lamp. The container will be for keeping oil about 200 ml. This lamp is
used to feed oil to other lamps. There will be a chained special spoon to take
oil from the pot.  Normally other lamps are lit using this lamp from the main
lamp before deity.

4. Attukal and other pongalas

For all pongalas the fire is brought from sanctum lamp using a changalamoota
lamp. The first oven is lit from this lamp and fire is continued for other
ovens.

5. Keta vilakku

The keta vilakku is the lamp suspended from top in most of the temples in a
convenient location before the deity in the Nata path.  This is a wider lamp
about one foot in diameter and lit with a big wick either one side or two sides.
The lamp is never put off.

Many lamps have provision to drain excess oil poured in it to a bottom
container. The lamp is placed in such a location with slight blow of wind the
lamp will not go off.  Now a day there is an outer shielding so that access to
the lamp is from a hand distance and suitable coverage for lamp from wind, but
permitting flame to go off.

The maintenance of the lamp and cleaning sides etc are done with special care
after poojas.

6. Eattumanoor valiya vilakku

The Keta vilakku at Eattumanoor temple is very big. I have read some where the
oil drained from Keta vilakku is sufficient for lighting all lamps during temple
festival.
7. Aatta vilakku

The aatta vilakku is the very big Nilavilakku, lit before Kathakali performance.
On olden days this was the only lamp lit on the stage.  Now with modernisation
this has become a medium brass lamp and other lamps are used.

The Nilavilakku used to be about 2.5 to 3 feet in height and a diameter of about
1.5 feet in the top and a depth of above 1.5 inch. The wicks used to be very
thick and lit on either side.  There was special area before aalthara to perform
Kathakali. Some times it was performed in aana kottil depend on convenience.

8. Keli kottu and aatta vilakku

To inform there is Kathakali, in the evening there is an instruments play in the
temples. It is called Kelikottu. The lamp used to be lit after Kelikottu.

9. Chuttu vilakku

Chuttu vilakku is small brass lamps fitted on all sides of the temple leaving
entrances. There will be external wooden frames to which these lamps are fitted
in row horizontally and vertically.  These lamps are lit during deeparadhana in
big temples.  On ordinary days on all sides a few will be lit. On festival days
all will be lit.  It will take about half an hour by 10-15 people to lit all
lamps even in medium temples.

Chuttu vilakku in temples is offered as a prayer. In temples like Guruvayoor
chuttu vialkku for important festival days are booked for years.

10 Sakha vilakku

This is a nilavilakku  having a common stem and base , but branches to three  in
the  top.  So this served as three Nilavilakku kept horizontally.  These lamps
are very common in Devi temples like Chottanikkara, Chetti kulangara,
Kodungallur, Tirumanthan kunnu etc. before the deity.

11. Aalila  Vilakku

This lamp is also lighted in temples outside  the sanctum in Mandapam or after
flag mast.  There will be 10- 15 rows of lamps in a common stem in a circular
fashion . The top circular row has to be lighted first, then top 2nd and finally
to the last.  On lighting the lamps will appear in a conical fashion.

Specially in Chettikulangara this lamp is famous and lighting it is an offering.

12. Deeparadhana vilakku.

  This is a mini alila vilakku, having only 5 rows and top row three lamps, 2nd
row 5 lamps etc.   During deeparadhana this lamp is first lighted in the sanctum
before Karpoora arathi in Kerala temples.

This lamp after pooja , the priest will be lighting  before opening Nata  and he
will be making three uzhiyals  before keeping it down. After karpooradhana  both
lamps will be shown to devotees for receiving it.

13. Thudal vilakku
Thudal vilakku is the top portion of the normal nilavilakku,  having
arrangements to fit a chain to the centre stem of the lamp.  This lamp is
suspended form the top.

Thudal vilakku is used both inside the sanctum and outside the sanctum in Nada
and Mandapam and from the entrance to Mandapam.   Normally Thudal vilakku will
be lighted  with at least 5 thiries( Wicks).

During festival seasons like Mandalam  chirappu more thudal vilakku will be
added

14. Nilavilakku

Nila vilakku is the most common and used in all houses.  On earlier days
nilavilakku was used in all rooms. Now confined to pooja rooms and for
functions. Normal size of Nilavilakku is about 1.25 feet height to 6" height
with suitable diameter at top depending on the length.  The stem and top are
detachable and fixable. In all metal show rooms we can see display of Nila
vilakku.

Normally Nilavilakku is lighted with wicks to East or west. On special occasions
5 wicks are placed in bigger lamps.

For Karthigai, these nilavilakku are arranged in a row,  starting with bigger
ones to smaller ones in the entrance and lighted in the evening. Most of the
houses will be having at least 5-7 Nilavilakku.

In the pooja room most before putting of the lamp either a rice or small
quantity of milk is put on the vim.  Some people leave it to go off when oil
exhausted ( Malayeruka) . I  Kerala in most houses the first practice is
followed;

In Nair houses normally Nilavilakku is lighted in the front instead of pooja
room. In addition to Tulasi matam, lamp is lighted in kavu also if it is there.

In temples like Mannarsala evening lamp is lighted at different specified places
in the kavu.

15. Koti vilakku

Koti vilakku is a lamp having a base and handle on one side and lamp on other
side. Only one wick. In poojas we use Koti vilakku. For lighting different lamps
koti vilakku is used.

I have seen Koti vilakku used for deepam in our local Ganapathi temple. Camphor
arati is not performed.

16. Divyas

These are simple lamps used in Tulasi madam etc. During karthigai this lamp is
lighted on compound walls etc.  Only one wick in these lamps.

17. Kamakshi Vilakku

This is a specially designed divya, bigger in size and on having a holder having
engraving of Goddess   Kamakshi very beautifully designed. I have seen kamakshi
vilakku after coming over to Tamilnadu.
It is told lighting Kamakshi vilakku will bring all sorts of wealth in the
family.

18. Karthigai vilakku

Honouring brothers for their contribution, for their longevity and well being
two lamps are lit . These are lamps with images on stems like a small idol
holding lamp on hand. I think the images are of Ganga and Yamuna ( Please
correct if I am wrong)  these are positively lit with ghee.

19. Silver lamps

Nilavilakku and kamakshi vilakku I have seen made of silver. Many other
varieties of  lamp also I have seen made of silver in different forms and with
arts.

In Brahmin families two silver nilavilakku and one Kamakshi vilakku is now a day
common seer item. The sizes depend on the financial status of the parents.

20 Ramaayyan dalava and wick setting right

Let me conclude this posting narrating an incident about Ramayyan Dalava.  This
has been written by me earlier also.

Once in the night while king Marthanda varma taking meals the brightness of the
wick has gone very dim in the Nilavilakku. The wick had to be extended. No time
to search for anything. Ramayyan dalava near by used his ring immediately and
raised the wick with out the flame going off. The king got very pleased with him
and rewarded.