Kerala Diary

During a visit to India last year my wife and I went to the temple where we were married eight years ago. We were struck by the beauty of the oil lamps that dot the outer walls of the five hundred year old temple structure. The scene gets especially compelling during nights of festivities when the entire village volunteers to light these lamps. The lamps themselves are made of beaten copper and brazed onto the weathered stone walls of the temple. The handmade wicks are made of rolled cotton and coconut oil is used to sustain the flame. Once lit, they last for hours into the festive night shimmering and dancing in the light breeze of Central Kerala.