Kerala, God’s own country was earlier a resplendent home of paddy harvest. The biggest secular and cultural festival of Kerala—Onam too is centered around the time of harvest. It is no wonder that some of the most auspicious symbols in Kerala is the very traditional nirapara and nilavilakku.Long before the standardization of weights and measures, farmers and landlords of Kerala followed a system of convenience. The different units of measurement in practice in Kerala until very recently are nazhi, idangazhi, naarayam, para and so on. The nazhi was the smallest unit (around 300 millilitres) while the para was the biggest (around 10 kilos) Different utensils synonymous with the weights became standards for assessing volume and mass.

A full para thus indicated a rich harvest and in turn happiness. A nirapara or a fully filled para thus became a symbol for prosperity and happiness. For weddings and other rituals, the para, which is a utensil made either traditionally out of bell metal is filled to the brim with paddy and coconut flowers symbolising wealth, prosperity and opulence.

Along with the nirapara is kept a lighted nilavilakku, which is a traditional Kerala lamp in brass. Wicks are placed in the lamp and lighted. Usually, each wick consists of two separate wicks, and the total number of wicks in a nilavilakku needs to be in odd numbers. The nilavilakku is lighted to signify Lord Agni, the god of fire. Fire in Indian culture is purity.

The nirapara and nilavilakku together, are not just beautiful and majestic looking in itself, but are prominent symbols of Kerala culture. It is not often that you walk into a typical Kerala function and not see the amazing and serene presence of the humble nirapara and nilavilakku