Not Just for Diwali: Diyas That Double as Everyday Mood Lighting

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As someone who grew up in a home with diyas being lit for almost every Indian holiday, there was something so peaceful about adding them to my home in New York. Now I use diyas for more than just a traditional pooja — in fact, I use them as little night lights to set the mood in the evenings.

If you’re like me and love a diya moment, I managed to find a few candle-plus-diya options that will give you that same diya feel all year round — don’t worry, no wicks required.

Lemongrass Scented Aladin Diya – $17 (save $31)
I love the smell of lemongrass, and this candle will fill the area around it with a subtle fragrance meant to tingle your senses. While it features a traditional clay-style build, it actually has a soy wax candle embedded inside, so you don’t need to add your own ghee-soaked wick to it. This way, you can light your candle like normal and still enjoy the subtle reminder of those traditional diyas Mom used to light up when you were a kid.

It’s also embellished with delicate dried flowers, making this a great addition to your coffee table or dining table arrangement.

Welburn Veda&Co™ Pure Cow Ghee Diya – $17.49
Okay, there’s nothing like lighting up your entire home with a bunch of diyas — even when it’s not Diwali. This 30-piece set is the value option you need. Each has a burn time of 45 minutes (so they won’t last too long), but there’s enough to go around so you don’t have to worry about running out soon — although I do recommend doubling up when you order.

The outer build is all clay, and the inside is cow ghee. You can also paint the outside or draw on it as you prefer. It really gives you the freedom to design these diyas as you please.

TheLondonAlchemists Diya Beeswax Candles – $21.03
While this might not look like a traditional diya, it’s a beautiful alternative. It still has that handcrafted clay build and even has 100% beeswax built in. Since they’re beeswax candles, expect a subtle sweet scent when you light them up. They also last much longer than some of the other options on this list, burning for over three hours, according to the brand.

You’ll get four beautiful candles in this set, and like our other picks, you can paint the clay and decorate it to your liking — or leave it as is. The indented design is just as beautiful without paint.

Awani Trends Handicraft Matki Unscented Diyas – $17.99
If you want a set of beautiful diyas but don’t want to worry about decorating them, choose this pick. They come pre-painted in a bunch of vibrant colors and will give your home the pop of color it needs.

You’ll get 24 diyas total, and since each is unscented, it’s great for sensitive noses too. Use them during your traditional Indian holidays or light them up during evenings when you need a pick-me-up. Sometimes I’ll just place a few on my coffee table and light them for a little ambiance in the evenings.

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