Brass Peacock Diya - Annam Vilakku South Indian Oil Lamp

• South Indian bird-lamp form — cast in the temple vilakku tradition, with the bird's body forming the oil reservoir and its tail rising behind the flame
• Feathers, beak and tail worked individually — the detailing is chased after casting, so the piece reads as sculpture even when unlit
• A working oil lamp, not decoration only — the well takes gingelly oil or ghee and a standard twisted cotton wick
• Peacock as Murugan's vahana — the form is traditionally chosen for Murugan puja, Skanda Sashti and Karthigai
• Solid brass — it takes repeated heat without warping and will outlast the terracotta and pressed-metal lamps sold for festivals

• Home mandir or the north-east corner of the puja room — the standard Ishaan placement for lamps
• Facing east or north, so the lit face turns towards the deity or towards the person praying
• On a stone, brass or ceramic plate — the base warms and hot oil creeps, so protect wooden shelves
• At least an arm's length from curtains, wall hangings, garlands and paper calendars
• A pair on either side of the deity is the temple arrangement; a single lamp is placed to the right of the idol

1. 1. Wash the lamp with warm water and a little tamarind or lemon and salt before first use, rinse and dry it completely
2. 2. Fill the well roughly three-quarters with gingelly (sesame) oil, or with ghee on festival days; do not fill to the brim, as oil expands when warm
3. 3. Use a twisted cotton wick — one for daily lighting, five for Navratri, Karthigai or Skanda Sashti — laying the tip over the lip so it sits clear of the oil
4. 4. Light it facing east, from a match or a second lamp rather than by blowing on an ember, and let it burn down rather than blowing it out
5. 5. Chant Om Saravana Bhava while lighting, or the ishta-devata mantra of your household, and ring the bell if you keep one
6. 6. Once cool, lift the soot from the lip with a cloth and a paste of tamarind or lemon and salt, then rinse and dry; soot left on brass hardens and becomes difficult to shift

Vilakku is simply the Tamil word for lamp, and bird-form vilakkus are among the oldest categories of South Indian temple brassware. Two birds dominate the tradition: the annam, the swan or hamsa that carries Saraswati and is said in Tamil poetry to be able to separate milk from water, and the mayil, the peacock that carries Murugan. Both are cast so the bird's body holds the oil and its raised tail shields the flame from draught, which is why these lamps burn steadily where a plain open diya will gutter.

• MaterialSolid brass
• SizeNot stated by the workshop for this batch
• WeightNot recorded in our system for this batch
• FinishPolished brass with hand-chased detailing
• TypeSouth Indian bird-form oil lamp (vilakku)
• Suitable forHome mandir, Murugan puja, Skanda Sashti, Navratri, Karthigai Deepam
• FuelGingelly (sesame) oil or ghee with twisted cotton wicks

Colour and texture vary slightly from piece to piece — every bead and stone is natural and one of a kind.

Keep away from water, perfume and harsh chemicals. Wipe gently with a soft dry cloth. Store in the pouch or box provided when not in use.

Presented in a sturdy gift box with protective foam, made for safe delivery and for gifting.

7-day returns. Contact us with your order number and we will guide you through it. Please keep the product in its original condition.