Deepam - Lighting the Oil lamp

Deepam:
Deepam means an oil lamp. Here, the oil can be any ghee, butter or any type of oil. According to Sanatana Dharma, there is a tradition that every hindu has to lit a lamp every day before the God. Hindus believe that lamp before god makes us travel from darkness to brightness.

Cultural Beliefs:
According to Agni purana, lamp should be lit by pouring Ghee or Oil by keeping cotton wick in it. Sesame oil is considered as auspicious when compared to other types of oils. Ghee which is extracted from Cow milk is considered the most auspicious than sesame oil. Oil is considered as our negative emotions , the cotton wick represents our ignorance and lighting the lamp represents suppressing negative emotions and ignorance with knowledge.

According to Rig-Veda, Goddess Lakshmi will visit the place where the lamps are lit. Lightening lamp before holy basil is considered auspicious.

One of the ancient stories tell us the power of lightening oil lamp. Due to the curse of Sage Durvasa, Lord Indra lost his power, wealth and kingship. He requests Lord Vishnu to give a solution for his problem. Later Lord Vishnu told Indra to worship a lamp by considering lamp as Goddess Lakshmi. After performing the same, his powers were restored.

Some Hindus say that huge lamp with bright light was originated while churning milky ocean by demons and gods using a giant snake as rope.

Interesting facts:

• According to Hindus, when a drop of cow ghee in any oil which is used to lit a lamp is considered as ghee lamp.
• Need to pray Lord Ganapathi before lighting a lamp.
• Need to offer flowers to the lamp.
• Need to lit a lamp before sunrise and after sunset.
• Akanda deepam(Lamp of continuous light) is considered as the most auspicious.
• Diwali and month of Karthika is celebrated by lightening different lamps.
• Gods or Goddesses (Aliens) use this oil lamps and vapors to make telepathic connection with the worshiper. 
• Lightening a lamp means in inviting God to clear the darkness in mind.
• ISKON a religious sect, magnificently celebrate's Deepostav(Festival of lights).
• Hanukkah a Jewish lamp's festival,Tazaungdaing lamp festival of Buddist also celebrate in marvellous manner.

Scientific Reasons:

• Lightening a lamp will kill virus, bacteria which causes diseases. Indirectly an oil lamp will keep us healthy.
• The oil lamp vapors hardens the ozone layer which acts as a protection layer for environment. 
• The oil lamp vapors increase magnetic field of earth which act as a protection shield from the attacks of meteors or hard rocks from universe. Due to this shield, meteors always diverts to fall on places with lesser magnetic field which causes lesser damage or no damage.
• It is believed that India is never hit by a meteor from decades. Think how many people who lit a lamp daily in their places and temples directly or indirectly contributing in saving earth.
• People also visit temple to worship as the temple would be decorated lightening the lamps which enhances their creativity.