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As a busy mom, I love keeping our traditions alive so I’m all about finding ways to simplify our rituals with a modern touch. Prepping these pre-soaked diyas with an ice cube tray gives you the perfect shape and is a clever way to prep for your daily prayers or Diwali celebrations, saving time and letting you focus on the moments that matter.

A diya is a small oil lamp, traditionally made from clay, and typically filled with ghee or oil. Lighting these daily is seen as a way to start your day with positivity and good energy. During Diwali, diyas represent light over darkness and good over evil. Lighting diyas during the festive season is a way to welcome positivity, prosperity, and good fortune into your home and for your family in honor of goddess Lakshmi.

Whether you plan to use these daily or during the holiday season, you won’t regret having them ready to go, saving you time and energy. With just a few materials and 10-15 minutes, you’ll see how easy these are to put together! I recommend making one tray at a time and doing this monthly to keep your diyas fresh.

Materials:
• Cotton wicks
• Ghee (clarified butter)
• Ice cube tray (silicone trays work best for easy removal)

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*You can also make your own wicks and ghee. I like the shape of the particular ice cube tray I’ve linked as the diyas sit upright nicely.

Instructions:
1. Melt the Ghee: Gently warm up the ghee in a small bowl until it’s fully liquid.
2. Add Wicks: Place cotton wicks in the center of each compartment, making sure they stand upright. For extra stability, you can hold it with a toothpick or set it on a skewer until the ghee begins to solidify.
3. Pour into Tray: Pour the melted ghee, filling each compartment about 2/3 of the way until they’re fully coated, leaving room for the wick. Let them soak for a minute or two until absorbed.
4. Cool and Solidify: Let the tray sit until the ghee fully solidifies. You can place it in the refrigerator to speed up the process.
5. Remove Diyas and Store: Once solid, gently pop each diya out of the ice cube tray. Store the diyas in a cool, dry place until they’re ready to use.

Want to see how it’s done? Watch me make these pre-soaked diyas here!

You can find more pictures and details on my Pinterest and saved to my Instagram highlights!