The short answer: an akhand jyoti is a lamp lit at the start of Navratri and kept burning, without going out, for all nine days. It is usually fed with ghee or sesame oil and placed beside the kalash. A heavy brass diya with a deep oil well, a steady base and a sheltered flame makes it far easier to keep alight.
What the akhand jyoti means
Akhand means unbroken. The lamp stands for the presence of the goddess and for devotion that does not waver through the festival. It is lit on the first day, usually at Ghatasthapana, and tended every few hours until the last day. Read our guide to setting up the Navratri kalash for the full first-day puja.
Choosing a brass diya for the akhand jyoti
- A deep oil well. The more ghee or oil it holds, the less often it needs topping up, including through the night.
- A heavy, stable base. Cast brass or bell metal will not tip easily.
- A good wick. A long cotton wick (often called an akhand batti) burns slowly and evenly.
- Shelter from draughts. Place it away from fans and open windows, or use a glass chimney.
Our brass peacock oil lamp with hanging bell is cast in brass and bell metal by metalsmiths in Madhya Pradesh using the lost-wax method, then finished and polished by hand in an antique gold finish. The peacock, a symbol of beauty and grace across Indian art, rises above the lamp, and a small bell hangs from its beak.
Keeping the flame alive, safely
- Fill the lamp generously before you light it and check the level every few hours.
- Top up gently at the edge of the well, so the flame is not disturbed.
- Trim or ease up the wick if the flame becomes small or smoky.
- Keep it on a metal plate or tray, well away from curtains, cloth and flowers.
- Never leave a lamp where children or pets can reach it, and keep water nearby.
The aarti: lamp, bell and shankh
Each morning and evening of Navratri, the aarti is sung before the goddess. The bell is rung as the puja begins, and in many homes a shankh (conch) is blown. Our brass shankh is a decorative piece for the puja shelf, cast and hand-engraved in an antique gold polish. A bell metal urli filled with water, floating diyas and marigold petals makes a beautiful offering bowl for the nine nights.
Caring for brass lamps after Navratri
- Let the lamp cool, then wipe out the remaining oil or ghee with soft paper.
- Wash in warm water with a little mild soap and dry completely.
- Polish with tamarind, or lemon and salt, or a brass cleaner to bring back the shine.
- Store wrapped in cotton, away from damp.
Brass darkens naturally over time. Many families love this warm patina; others polish their lamps bright before every festival.
Shop the Navratri edit
Find lamps, kalash, urli and bell metal jewellery in our Navratri Special. For a video viewing, message us on WhatsApp at +91 98366 50278.
Frequently asked questions
What is an akhand jyoti?
An akhand jyoti is a lamp kept burning continuously through all nine days of Navratri, as an offering of unbroken devotion to the goddess.
Should the akhand jyoti use ghee or oil?
Both are used. Many families use pure ghee; others use sesame or mustard oil. Follow your family's custom.
What if the akhand jyoti goes out?
Many families simply relight it with a short prayer and continue. Customs vary, so ask an elder in your family or your priest.
How do I clean a brass diya?
Wipe out the oil, wash in warm soapy water, dry fully, and polish with tamarind, lemon and salt, or a brass cleaner.