While deepams (lamps) can take many shapes, this one resembles a kodam (water pot) with a long neck, a slightly older design than the present-day rounded pot lamps. The pot is filled with oil and a cloth wick is inserted in the centre through a cylindrical wick holder. This purnakumbha deepam (single wick lamp) is used on special Friday pujas and on special festive occasions. It is considered as a pot of plenty, and is waved in a clockwise direction, in Vishnu, Shiva, Devi and Murugan temples.
