Diwali 2025: Diwali 2025: Is Reusing Old Clay Lamps Auspicious? Know the Rules

According to the Hindu calendar, Diwali will be celebrated on Monday, October 20, 2025. This auspicious festival of Diwali symbolizes light, prosperity, and positive energy. Lighting lamps (diyas) in and around the home holds special significance on this day, as lamps. Not only dispel darkness but also represent positive energy and the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi in life. The festival of Diwali, a celebration of light over darkness, brings happiness and prosperity to every home. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped, and homes are illuminated with the glow of countless lamps, while however, a common question arises in many minds: is it auspicious or inauspicious to reuse old clay lamps from previous years or past pujas on Diwali? Let's explore into the rules and the correct method for lighting lamps.

Rules for Clay Lamps (Diyas)

**Should Old Lamps Be Reused on Diwali? Generally, clay lamps (diyas) are considered auspicious for single use. It's believed that clay pots, once used in a puja, shouldn't be reused. Specifically, for the main Diwali puja, reusing clay lamps is considered inauspicious, while it's believed that the clay absorbs negative energy during the puja, hence it shouldn't be used again. However, there is an exception: the old lamp lit for Yamadev on Dhanteras or Narak Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali) can be reused with mustard oil. This 'Yam Deepak' is dedicated to Yamraj to protect the family from untimely death. **Rules for Metal Lamps (Brass, Silver, etc. If you use lamps made of brass, silver, or other metals in your puja room or inside your home, they can be thoroughly cleaned, purified by fire, and reused. Re-lighting them is considered auspicious and also demonstrates environmental responsibility.

Don't Light Broken Lamps

Whether it's Diwali or any other puja, lighting a broken (khandit) lamp is considered highly inauspicious. It's believed that lighting a broken lamp can lead to financial loss and bring negativity. **What to Do with Old Lamps? After the Diwali puja, clay lamps should ideally be immersed in a sacred river or placed under a holy tree (like Peepal or Tulsi). If you prefer not to immerse them, you can repurpose them for home decoration or artistic projects.

Important Rules for Lighting Lamps on Diwali

It's considered auspicious to always light lamps facing East or North. When lighting a lamp at the main entrance of the house, its flame should point inwards, while the Yam Deepak (on Dhanteras/Chhoti Diwali) should always be lit facing South. The number of lamps lit on Diwali should be odd, such as 5, 7, 9, 11, 21, 51, or 108. The very first lamp should be lit in the temple at the start of the puja. Ghee lamps are considered more auspicious than mustard oil lamps. Be sure to light lamps at the main entrance, in the living room, in the Agneya corner (southeast) of the kitchen, near the Tulsi plant, under a Peepal tree, and on the rooftop/balcony. According to religious beliefs, one lamp should never be used to light another; this is considered inauspicious. Lamps should be lit individually, while during the puja, take special care that the lamp doesn't extinguish. Lamps shouldn't be extinguished by hand or by blowing on them, as this is considered disrespectful to Goddess Lakshmi.