September 2026
Walk into any Diwali market and you'll see dozens of diya shapes — knowing what each one is traditionally used for makes choosing (and gifting) much easier.
Meant to stay lit continuously through pooja or an entire day, the akhand diya is usually larger with a deep oil well. It's the diya most homes keep burning near the mandir through Diwali night.
Shaped like an open lotus flower, this style is as much decor as ritual — often placed at entrances or used to float around a rangoli or water bowl.
Designed to be mounted rather than placed on a surface, these work well for balconies, doorways, and outdoor Diwali decor where a table isn't available.
Sold and lit in twos, symbolically placed on either side of a doorway or the main puja area — one of the most common Diwali gifting formats.
Clay diyas are traditional and biodegradable, but brass diyas are reused year after year, develop a beautiful patina over time, and make for a gift that outlasts a single Diwali.
