Nilavilakku

The Nilavilakku is integral to several rituals and ceremonies in Hindu families in Kerala. As the sun sets, young girls of the family bring the lighted lamps to the verandah of the house, continued with evening prayers. In the evening the ritual is repeated alongside evening prayers. In Hindu temples, various types of Nilavilakku like 'Kutthuvilakku', 'Thookkuvilakku' etc are used and are very much related to the traditional beliefs and activities in Kerala.

Lighting the Nilavilakku on any occasion is believed to be auspicious. Nilavilakku plays an important role in the presentation of various art forms. The art forms are performed after lighting the lamp. In Kerala, many functions are inaugurated by lighting Nilavilakku.[2]

Nilavilakku is usually made of bronze or brass. Usually cotton wicks doused in oil or ghee are used for lighting the lamp. There are three ways of lighting the lamp. In one, only one wick is lit and is directed towards the deity or sacred space and in another there are two lit wicks in two directions. The third alternative is with five wicks in five directions.

With the reach of Christianity in Kerala, Saint Thomas Christians (or Syrian Christians) also started keeping Nilavilakku in their churches and homes. Traditionally, the nilavilakku is lighted and kept at the main front entrance of a home. Syrian Christian art forms like Margamkali and Parichamuttukali are performed around nilavilakku. A special type of Nilavilakku, called Aal Vilakku is used in Temples of South India, especially in Kerala.[3]

It can also be found in certain Muslim mosques like Ponnani Al Maqtoom Juma Masjid and Jarams (holy caves) in Kerala,

Nilavilaku with patented lid

Insect Free Oil Lamps are a patented innovation designed to prevent impurities caused by insects falling into oil used in oil lamps commonly used in religious and commercial settings. With no traditional oil lamps offering any means of prevention, this unique solution is a great solution to prevent the fall of insects in the oil and keep it clean and pure. The patent (No. 422389) for the design was granted on February 20, 2023, by the Indian Patent Office and is valid for 20 years. The idea was conceived and developed by Kalki, the grandson of Kizhakkumbatt Illath Damodaran Namboothiripad, and was initially created for use in Kalkipuri Temple located in Edavannappara, Malappuram Dt., Kerala, India. The design fully covers the lamp's opening, making it impossible for insects to fall into the oil. The Fully Covered Lid is compatible with various lamp models used for worshipping, such as standalone lamps (Nilavilakku), multi-branched lamps (Kavara Vilakku), hanging oil lamps (Thookku Vilakku), and inauguration lamps. The lid offers features like a refill oil hole with a removable cap and can be quickly removed for easy cleaning. The wick holes are designed to correctly point in the exact direction, ensuring accurate placement of wicks. The innovative solution of Insect Free Oil Lamps offers a new level of cleanliness, ease of use, and low maintenance for those using oil lamps in any context. The patented design provides a modern and better alternative to traditional oil lamps that suffer from the significant problem of impurities caused by insects.