Yam Diya on Dhanteras 2026: Significance, Puja Vidhi, Muhurat and Mantra

Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival and is considered an auspicious occasion for prayers, prosperity and good health. Along with worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari, many Hindu families light a special diya for Lord Yama, the God of Death. Known as Yam Diya or Yam Deep Daan, this ritual is traditionally performed to pray for the long life, safety and well-being of family members.

What Is the Significance of Yam Diya on Dhanteras?

Yam Diya refers to a traditional lamp that is lit for the deities on the day of Dhanteras, also called Dhantrayodashi. In the Hindu belief system, the act of lighting this diya is believed to be a prayer that signifies its importance in ensuring the safety of individuals from an untimely death and longevity of life of near and dear ones. The belief has it that whoever performs the ritual and lights the lamp gets to receive blessing from Lord Yama. It brings in a sense of being grateful, as well as being prayerful and caring towards loved ones.

The Story Behind Yam Deep Daan

In some popular traditional lore, a young prince was foretold to die on the fourth day of his marriage. Unable to take this possible fate lying down, his wife kept the prince awake all night. She placed gold and silver ornaments and lamps at the entrance, illuminating the surroundings.

When Lord Yama arrived in a serpentine form, the bright lamps and ornaments prevented him from entering. Thus, the prince was saved and became associated with the lighting of the lamp for Lord Yama.  

Yam Diya 2026: Date and Muhurat

Event	Date & Time
Yam Deep Daan Muhurat (New Delhi)	05:33 PM to 06:51 PM
Pradosh Kaal (New Delhi)	05:33 PM to 08:09 PM
Direction of the Diya	South (outside the main entrance)
Lamp & Oil	Earthen four-wick diya with mustard or sesame oil

Yam Deep Daan is traditionally performed during the evening, around Pradosh Kaal, when devotees offer a lamp to Lord Yama.

For New Delhi, the Pradosh period is approximately 5:33 PM to 8:09 PM, while the evening Yam Deep Daan window is listed as 5:33 PM to 6:51 PM. The exact timing varies by city, so check your local Panchang before performing the ritual.  

Yam Diya Puja Vidhi: How to Light the Yam Deepak

Follow these traditional steps to perform Yam Deep Daan on Dhanteras:

1. Clean the entrance: Clean the area outside your main entrance where you plan to place the diya.
2. Prepare the lamp: Take an earthen diya, preferably a traditional four-wick lamp, and fill it with mustard oil or sesame oil.
3. Add the wicks: Place cotton wicks in the lamp. Some traditions use four wicks to represent the four directions.
4. Light the diya: Light the lamp during the appropriate evening period on Dhanteras.
5. Face the south direction: Traditionally, the diya is placed outside the main entrance facing south, the direction associated with Lord Yama.
6. Offer prayers: Fold your hands and pray for the health, safety and long life of your family.
7. Perform Deep Daan: Offer the lamp with devotion and recite the traditional Yam Deep Daan mantra.

These steps reflect commonly followed traditions. The type of lamp, oil and exact placement may vary between families and regions. 

Yam Diya Mantra for Dhanteras

Devotees may recite the following traditional mantra while offering the Yam Diya:

Sanskrit:

मृत्युना पाशदण्डाभ्यां कालेन श्यामया सह।
त्रयोदश्यां दीपदानात् सूर्यजः प्रीयतां मम॥

English Transliteration:

Mrityuna Pasha-Dandabhyam Kalena Shyamaya Saha,
Trayodasyam Deepadanat Suryajah Priyatam Mama.

Meaning: May Lord Yama, the son of the Sun, be pleased with my offering of this lamp on Trayodashi. May his blessings bring protection and well-being to my family.

This mantra is traditionally recited during Yam Deep Daan on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi. 

Important Things to Remember While Lighting Yam Diya

• Light the diya during the appropriate Dhanteras evening period.
• Traditionally, place it outside the main entrance facing south.
• Use an earthen lamp and oil according to your family tradition.
• Offer the lamp with sincere prayers and devotion.
• Keep the diya on a stable, fire-safe surface away from curtains, dry leaves and other flammable materials.

Conclusion

The tradition of lighting a lamp on the occasion of Dhanteras has been a religious custom existing since ages and symbolizes the tradition of praying for a good long life and safety of one’s family. The ritual of lighting the lamp involves performing the ritual correctly, chanting the mantra and praying sincerely to God Yam for all the blessings sought. The above-mentioned practice greatly helps to inspire people to celebrate the Diwali festival in a true spirit and with positive emotions.