Lighting 108 Diyas in the USA: Symbolism and Modern Adaptations

In a suburban home in Edison, New Jersey, Lakshmi Iyer carefully arranges 108 small clay lamps along her driveway as twilight descends. Her neighbors pause their evening walks, captivated by the river of light taking shape. “They always ask what it means,” she smiles, lighting each diya with a prayer. “I tell them: these aren’t just lamps. Each flame represents a step toward enlightenment.”

During Karthika Masam, the ancient practice of lighting 108 diyas has found new expressions in American homes, apartment balconies, and community centers—adapting to different climates, fire codes, and living situations while preserving its profound spiritual essence.

The Sacred Mathematics of 108

Before exploring how NRIs have reimagined this tradition, it’s essential to understand why this specific number holds such power in Hindu spiritual practice.

Cosmic Significance The number 108 appears repeatedly in Vedic cosmology and sacred mathematics:

Astronomical alignment: The distance between Earth and Sun is approximately 108 times the Sun’s diameter
Lunar connection: The average distance from Earth to Moon is 108 times the Moon’s diameter
Chakra pathways: 108 energy lines (nadis) converge to form the heart chakra
Sanskrit alphabet: 54 letters, each with masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) aspects, totaling 108
Celestial bodies: Traditional Vedic astrology recognizes 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) multiplied by 4 quarters each

Spiritual Architecture

108 beads on a traditional mala (prayer necklace)
108 sacred texts in some Hindu traditions
108 Upanishads in the Muktika canon
108 holy sites (divya desams) of Vaishnavism
108 names (ashtottara) for each deity
108 earthly desires in Buddhist philosophy
108 lies humans tell according to certain teachings
108 delusions of the mind

When you light 108 diyas during Karthika Masam, you’re not simply following a ritual—you’re engaging with a numerological framework that ancient rishis believed mirrored the structure of consciousness itself.

The Karthika Connection

During Karthika Masam, lighting lamps holds special potency. According to the Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva appeared as an infinite pillar of light during this month, and lighting lamps is considered a way to honor that cosmic illumination.

The 108 Lamps Ritual traditionally involves:

Lighting all diyas simultaneously at dusk
Reciting mantras or prayers with each lighting
Offering the light to the divine
Keeping them burning for as long as possible
Performing this daily throughout the month

The practice symbolizes dispelling 108 types of darkness—ignorance, negative karma, ego, attachments, and various mental afflictions.

American Adaptations: When Tradition Meets Reality

For NRIs maintaining this practice in the United States, creativity becomes devotion’s partner.

Challenge #1: Fire Safety and Apartment Living

The Traditional Way (When Possible): Homeowners with yards or large patios can create stunning traditional displays using clay diyas and oil, especially during milder November weather in southern states.

Modern Alternatives:

LED Flameless Diyas

Battery-operated replicas with realistic flicker effects
Completely safe for apartments and condos
Can be used indoors without smoke alarms triggering
Environmentally sustainable and reusable
Available in sets specifically designed for 108-lamp arrangements

“At first, I felt guilty using LED diyas,” admits Rajesh Menon, a software engineer in Seattle. “But my apartment complex prohibits open flames. My priest reminded me that the true light is the consciousness we bring to the practice, not the fuel source. Now I meditate on each LED diya as I switch it on, and the devotion feels just as real.”

Tea Lights and Votives

Enclosed glass containers meeting most fire codes
Can use traditional ghee or oil wicks in glass votives
Safer for balconies and supervised indoor use
Creates similar ambiance to traditional diyas

Hybrid Approaches Many families use a combination:

A few traditional oil diyas in safe, supervised locations
LED diyas for the majority of the 108 count
One central brass diya with ghee flame as the “seed” lamp
All other lights radiating from this central flame symbolically

Challenge #2: Weather Conditions

The Midwest Winter Problem: By late October and November, states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan face freezing temperatures and early snow.

Creative Solutions:

Indoor Light Installations

Arranging 108 diyas along staircase railings
Creating mandala patterns on flame-safe trays in the living room
Using window sills to display lights visible from outside
Basement or garage setups for traditional clay diyas

Covered Outdoor Spaces

Enclosed porches decorated with weather-resistant lamps
Heated garages with doors open for ventilation
Gazebo setups in the backyard
Protected entrance areas and alcoves

Community Solutions: “Our Chicago Telugu association rents a banquet hall for the entire month,” explains Priya Desai, a community organizer. “Every evening, families take turns lighting 108 diyas together. Children learn to do it properly, we sing bhajans, and nobody has to worry about wind or snow.”

Challenge #3: Sourcing Traditional Materials

Finding Authentic Diyas:

Indian grocery stores stock clay diyas, especially before Diwali
Online retailers like Amazon and specialty shops carry bulk orders
Temple bookstores often sell traditional supplies
Some NRIs order directly from India through family

Oil and Wick Alternatives: Traditional sesame oil or ghee can be expensive and hard to find in bulk.

What Works in America:

Sesame oil from health food stores or Asian markets
Mustard oil (when available)
Organic ghee from Indian stores
Coconut oil as a widely available alternative
Vegetable oil mixed with ghee for extended burning
Pre-waxed cotton wicks from craft stores
Traditional cotton wicks rolled from fabric

DIY Diya Movement: Some communities have organized clay diya-making workshops, teaching children to create lamps from air-dry clay or even salt dough, decorated with traditional patterns.

Modern Ritual Frameworks

The Mindful 108 Practice

Time-Compressed Version (for Busy Weekdays): Not everyone can spend an hour lighting 108 individual lamps each evening.

Adapted Approaches:

The Representative Method: Light 9 actual diyas (9 x 12 = 108 in spiritual mathematics) while mentally dedicating each to 12 aspects of life
The Countdown Practice: Light 108 diyas on weekends, maintain 27 daily during the week
The Family Division: Each family member lights a portion, totaling 108 collectively
The Weekly Culmination: Build up from fewer lights daily, reaching 108 on Mondays (Karthika Somavaram)

The Meditation Integration: Many NRIs have enriched the practice with structured meditation:

Lighting each diya while releasing a specific attachment or negative thought
Pairing each flame with a gratitude statement
Reciting 108 names of the deity with each lighting
Using a mala to count while lighting, combining two practices

Digital Age Documentation

The Instagram Effect: The aesthetic beauty of 108 lamps has made this practice highly photogenic, leading to:

Detailed time-lapse videos of the lighting process
Virtual darshan opportunities for distant family
Community challenges encouraging participation
Artistic interpretations inspiring others
Preservation of traditional arrangements for future generations

“My daughter in California FaceTimes us every evening during our lamp lighting,” shares Kamala Reddy in Austin. “She lights her 108 LED diyas while watching us light ours. Technology has made our practice more connected, not less.”

Creative Arrangement Ideas

Traditional Patterns Adapted for American Spaces

The Kolam Base:

Draw or tape a traditional rangoli pattern on a flame-safe surface
Place diyas at intersection points and along curves
Popular designs: lotus, OM symbol, swastika (Hindu symbol of auspiciousness)

The Spiral Galaxy: Arrange 108 diyas in a spiral formation, symbolizing:

The cosmic dance of creation
The journey from outer confusion to inner clarity
The path of spiritual evolution

The Tree of Light: For those with yard space:

Create a tree-like formation with lamps ascending branches
The trunk represents the spiritual path
108 branches of possibility and divine attributes

The Threshold Tradition:

Line doorways and entrances
Create pathways of light through the home
Symbolizes inviting divine grace into living spaces

The Mandala Method:

Concentric circles of lamps
Mathematical precision in placement
Center represents the divine, outer rings represent manifest creation

Family-Friendly Practices

Involving Children

The Learning Opportunity: Each diya becomes a teaching moment:

Count together in Sanskrit or Telugu
Discuss the symbolism of light over darkness
Share stories of divine luminosity
Explain the science behind the number 108

Age-Appropriate Participation:

Ages 3-6: Help arrange LED diyas, learn counting
Ages 7-12: Light tea lights under supervision, learn prayers
Teens: Research and present different aspects of the tradition, create social media content for documentation
Everyone: Collectively maintain the practice throughout the month

The Wish Diya Tradition: Some families designate specific diyas among the 108 for:

Each family member’s personal prayer
Deceased ancestors’ remembrance
Friends and extended family
Community well-being
Global peace

Community Innovations

Temple Collaborations

Many Hindu temples in America have created special Karthika Masam programs:

Group 108 Diya Lighting:

Weekly or daily gatherings
Families sponsor specific counts
Professional setup of traditional arrangements
Priests guide proper mantras and mudras

Take-Home Kits: Temples distribute:

Pre-counted diya sets
Oil and wick supplies
Printed mantras and instructions
Photographs of proper arrangements
WhatsApp group support for questions

Neighborhood Integration

The Cultural Bridge: The visual beauty of 108 lamps has become a conversation starter.

“Our neighbors started asking if they could participate,” says Anand Kumar in Portland. “Now, on Fridays during Karthika Masam, we invite them to light one diya each and make a wish. They love the ritual, we love sharing our culture, and the kids see their tradition being honored in their American context.”

Interfaith Appreciation:

Churches and synagogues sometimes display 108 lamps during their own celebrations
Workplace diversity events featuring the practice
School cultural presentations explaining the symbolism
Community festivals incorporating the tradition

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Eco-Conscious Adaptations

Sustainable Materials:

Biodegradable clay diyas that can return to earth
Organic, locally-sourced oils
Natural cotton wicks without chemicals
Reusable brass or copper lamps for permanent home shrines

Carbon Footprint Awareness: Some eco-conscious devotees calculate:

Offset programs for oil consumption
Solar-powered LED alternatives
Minimal packaging for supplies
Composting clay diya remnants

The Outdoor Release Question: Traditional practice involved lighting diyas and releasing them on rivers. In America:

Most waterways prohibit this practice
Temple water features or home pools used symbolically instead
Biodegradable floating diyas created for contained water features
Virtual releases through animations for environmental protection

Safety Protocol for Traditional Flames

Essential Guidelines:

Never leave burning diyas unattended
Keep away from curtains, papers, and flammable materials
Use flame-resistant trays or plates underneath
Have fire extinguisher or water source nearby
Inform household members about the practice
Check local fire codes and HOA regulations
Ensure adequate ventilation for indoor lighting
Keep away from children and pets
Have a plan for early extinguishing if needed
Clean up wax/oil residues promptly

The Deeper Purpose: Beyond the Physical Act

108 as Internal Transformation

Spiritual teachers emphasize that the external lighting mirrors an internal process:

Each Diya Represents:

A quality to cultivate (compassion, patience, wisdom)
A limitation to release (anger, jealousy, fear)
A divine attribute to embody (love, truth, courage)
A life blessing to acknowledge (health, family, opportunity)

The Month-Long Practice: Lighting 108 diyas daily for the entire Karthika Masam creates:

Approximately 3,240 individual lamp lightings
A meditation practice of profound consistency
Muscle memory of devotion
Family ritual that marks time spiritually
A container for transformation over 30 days

The Symbolic Journey

Week 1: Purification – lighting lamps to cleanse mental space Week 2: Illumination – awareness of inner shadows and wisdom Week 3: Integration – balancing light and shadow aspects Week 4: Radiance – embodying the light you’ve cultivated

Personal Testimonials

From Darkness to Light: “I started the 108 diyas practice during a difficult divorce,” shares Meena Patel from New Jersey. “Every evening, lighting each lamp became a meditation. By the end of Karthika Masam, I felt genuinely lighter. My LED diyas are now my therapy.”

Generational Transmission: “My grandmother in India sent me a video of her lighting 108 diyas,” says Aditya Sharma, a college student in Michigan. “I bought cheap clay diyas and did the same in my dorm hallway with permission. My American roommates were mesmerized. One now joins me every evening. That’s when I understood—this practice transcends culture. It speaks to something universal.”

The Grief Ritual: “After my father passed away, I couldn’t pray. Words felt empty,” explains Krishna Murthy from California. “But I could light diyas. One hundred eight silent flames. No mantras I didn’t feel. Just light. Just showing up. By the end of the month, I could pray again. The lamps had kept my devotion alive when I couldn’t.”

Practical Step-by-Step Guide

For First-Timers in America

Week Before Karthika Masam:

Decide on diya type (traditional, LED, or hybrid)
Purchase supplies (108 diyas, oil/batteries, wicks, lighter)
Identify safe lighting location
Inform family members and get everyone involved
Research arrangement patterns
Set up a dedicated space

Daily Practice:

Clean the area where diyas will be placed
Arrange all 108 diyas in chosen pattern
Fill oil diyas (if using) or test LED diyas
Begin at dusk (traditionally between 6-7 PM)
Light central diya first with a prayer
Light remaining diyas one by one with intention
Sit in meditation or prayer while lamps burn
Sing bhajans or listen to devotional music
Safely extinguish when ready (or let burn completely)
Clean and prepare for next day

Monthly Progression:

Start simply if new to the practice
Increase numbers gradually if 108 feels overwhelming
Build consistency over perfection
Photograph your arrangements to track evolution
Journal about insights and experiences

The American Innovation

What makes the NRI practice of lighting 108 diyas unique is not the adaptation of form but the deepening of understanding. Removed from India where the practice might be routine, surrounded by a culture that needs explanation, devotees have been forced to articulate why this matters.

In explaining to curious neighbors and American-born children, NRIs have reconnected with the profound symbolism many Indians in India might perform habitually without contemplation.

The Meta-Teaching: Distance from homeland has created:

Deeper research into tradition’s meaning
More conscious transmission to next generation
Cross-cultural dialogue enriching the practice
Innovation within boundaries of respect
Documentation for future practitioners

Conclusion: 108 Bridges Between Worlds

When Lakshmi Iyer lights her driveway lamps in Edison, and thousands of other NRIs illuminate their American homes during Karthika Masam, they’re creating more than beautiful displays. They’re building bridges:

Between ancient wisdom and modern life
Between Eastern spirituality and Western pragmatism
Between immigrant parents and American-born children
Between different faith traditions watching with appreciation
Between the physical act and the metaphysical meaning

The number 108 reminds us that sacred mathematics transcends geography. Whether the flames burn with ghee on the banks of the Godavari or with batteries in a Chicago apartment, the symbolism remains: consciousness itself is the ultimate light, and this practice is our way of honoring that eternal flame.

In adapting the tradition of 108 diyas to American soil, NRIs aren’t diluting it—they’re proving its universality. Light, after all, illuminates wherever it appears. And devotion, like those ancient 108 energy pathways converging at the heart, needs no translation.

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One hundred eight flames. One thousand miles from home. One eternal truth: the light we seek has always been within.