Akanda Deepa Vrata is performed for prosperity by devotees.
The main ritual involves keeping a diya (deepa or traditional lamp) lit for an
entire Hindu lunar month. The Vrat begins on the first day of a Hindu lunar
month – the day after Purnima in calendars followed in North
India . In other regions, it is the day after Amavasya.
The Akhanda Deepa is lighted on the first day. The lamp is
either made of bronze or brass. The medium used to burn the lamp is cow ghee. A
single diya is lit.
Once lit the devotee keeps the lamp burning till the end of
month (first day after Purnima to Purnima or first day after Amavas to Amavas).
Each day pujas and offerings are made to the lamp. The puja
involves meditation, offering simple flowers and a single fruit.
On the last day of the puja, lamps are lit around the house.
A puja involving family members, relatives, friends and neighbors are held. Any
sweet dish is prepared and distributed as Prasad after offering to the diya.
It is considered highly meritorious to feed poor children or
elderly during the period.
Symbolically, the light ushers in knowledge and
destroys ignorance thus removing all sufferings.