KUALA LUMPUR: The glow of traditional oil-filled clay diyas is increasingly giving way to battery-powered LED versions for Deepavali, as more consumers opt for convenience, safety and variety.
Checks in Brickfields here found that many shops have stocked almost as many LED diyas as traditional oil-wick lamps.
“Some customers said they would place smaller LED diyas in the centre of larger traditional lamps, eliminating the need to light a cotton wick and making them less messy to set up and store after use,” she said when met.
“Others said they would arrange smaller LED diyas around traditional ones for a more decorative effect.”
She noted that a box of four traditional diyas typically cost about RM10 while individual LED versions are priced at RM7 or more each.
Sashi added that LED diyas are also preferred because they are safer to handle, particularly by children.
Shop assistant Rani Moorthy said battery-operated LED diyas and smokeless LED candles are becoming increasingly popular this year.
She said the popular smokeless candles, sold in sets of six for RM30, only require water to be poured into traditional diya lamps to activate them.
“Nowadays, people prefer these because they are easier to clean and can be reused.
“There is also no need to use oil, and they are safer because there is no risk of fire,” she said.
Another shop worker, Thiban Muthal, said sales of LED diyas have increased as changing lifestyles leave many families with less time to prepare traditional lamps.
“In the past, our grandmothers would prepare everything. Nowadays, both men and women are working, so they have less time to do all that,” the 36-year-old said.
Thiban added that the shift is also driven by the growing preference for decorative lighting that can be hung from ceilings and grilles, unlike traditional diya lamps.
In Penang, traditional oil lamps are also getting a modern twist with water-activated LED versions.
Engineer C. Surendren, 39, and his wife P. Legasiri, 32, travelled from Sungai Petani, Kedah, with their four-year-old daughter, S. Lalitha Sree, to Little India, where they bought 10 of the lamps.
“They are easier to use and light up almost instantly when they come into contact with water.
“We do not need to use oil or light each lamp individually,” he said.
Surendren said his family uses traditional oil lamps for religious rituals and LED versions for decorative purposes.
Another shopper, R. Jananarthini, 32, from Bayan Lepas, was shopping for flowers and clay lamps with her three-year-old son, P. Nithran Naido.
She said she bought 15 water-activated lamps two years ago.
“The children love them because they look like real flames, but without the fire,” she said.
Shop supervisor P. Santhanakumari, 40, said the newer lamps are popular because they are easier to clean, safer around children and do not require oil.
Her shop had stocked 100 boxes each of battery-operated and water-activated LED lamps a month ago.
