1. Material: The Diya is crafted entirely from brass (Pital), which is considered an auspicious metal for religious rituals in Hinduism. The finish is a matte or slightly distressed gold, contributing to its “antique” designation.
2. Structure (The Vilakku): The lamp is a small, freestanding piece composed of two main parts:
   • The Base/Stand (Chowki): A small, pedestal-style base with decorative grooves that provides stability.
   • The Oil Bowl (Deepam/Diya): A shallow, round bowl on the stand, designed to hold oil (like sesame or ghee) and a cotton wick (thiri). The front of the bowl often features a small projection for resting the wick.
3. The Backplate (The Visual Focus): This is the most significant part, rising vertically from the back of the oil bowl, and containing the sacred symbolism:

The design is a powerful visual synthesis of three key symbols associated with Lord Murugan.

The central, ornate, and swirling pattern is a stylized representation of the sacred syllable Om, often rendered in a traditional South Indian or Tamil script style.

Om is the primordial sound of the universe, representing universal consciousness and spiritual reality.

The Vel is Lord Murugan’s divine weapon and is prominently featured as the vertical shaft that passes through the Om symbol and rises to the top.

The Vel symbolizes divine wisdom (Gnana Vel), protection, and the power to destroy ignorance, delusion, and evil. The flame of the Diya, when lit, symbolically emanates from the Vel, signifying the light of true knowledge.

The Peacock (Mayil), which is Lord Murugan’s celestial vehicle (vahana), is incorporated into the lower sides of the backplate.

• • In the close-up image, the Peacock’s head is clearly visible on the left side, with its body and ornate, textured tail feathers forming the base curves on both sides of the Om symbol.
  • Significance: The Peacock is often seen as a symbol of beauty, pride, and the ability to conquer ego (as Murugan sits upon it).