Yama Deepam 2026: Time, Vidhi, Mantra and Significance

It is lit as a prayer for protection from untimely death, accidents, and misfortune. It also asks for good health and a long life for every family member.

Quick Facts

• Also called: Yam Diya, Yam Deep Daan, Yamadeepam, Yama Deepdaan

• Observed on: Dhanteras (Kartik Krishna Trayodashi)

• Deity: Lord Yama, revered as Dharmaraja

• Date in 2026: Friday, November 6

• Time: After sunset, during Pradosh Kaal

• Direction: South

• Place: Main entrance, threshold, balcony, or courtyard

Yama Deepam Time in 2026

Yama Deepam is lit during Pradosh Kaal, the twilight period that begins at sunset and lasts about 72 minutes.

On Friday, November 6, 2026, Pradosh Kaal is commonly listed as roughly 5:33 PM to 6:51 PM in India-wide panchang references. The exact Yama Deepam time changes from city to city, so a local panchang is the best guide.

If Pradosh Kaal is missed, some traditions allow the lamp to be lit later in the first prahar of the night. Pradosh Kaal remains the ideal time.

Meaning of Yama Deepam

The name has two parts. "Yama" refers to Lord Yama, the deity of death and dharma. "Deepam" means lamp. Together, the term means "a lamp offered to Lord Yama."

The ritual is not rooted in fear. Lord Yama is honored as Dharmaraja, the fair judge of karma and the guardian of righteousness.

The lamp reflects respect for the natural order of life and a prayer for safety, peace, and long life.

Four-Wick Lamp vs. 13-Lamp Tradition

Practices differ by family and region. Two questions decide what you light: what the lamp is made of and how many lamps are lit.

Aspect	Common practice
Material	Clay (the most common household choice) or wheat flour (atta), used in several North Indian households
Single-lamp tradition	One lamp with four wicks, placed at the main entrance facing south
Thirteen-lamp tradition	Thirteen wheat-flour lamps. One main lamp is placed at the main door facing south for Lord Yama. The others are placed near the Tulsi plant, in the courtyard, in a temple corner, or at corners of the home.

Follow your family or regional tradition. The essential elements are a lamp, oil, wick(s), south-facing placement, and a prayer to Lord Yama.

Why Is Yam Deepak Lit on Dhanteras?

Dhanteras falls on Trayodashi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. This tithi is traditionally linked with offering a lamp to Lord Yama. Puranic traditions, including references attributed to the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana, describe the lamp as a means of averting premature death.

The Yam Diya on Dhanteras is lit for these reasons:

• To seek protection from sudden or unnatural death

• To pray for the health and longevity of the whole family

• To remove fear and negativity linked with death

• To invite divine light into the home at the start of Diwali

Why Does the Lamp Face South?

In Vedic tradition, south (dakshina) is the direction of Lord Yama. The Yama Deepam is therefore one of the few household lamps deliberately turned toward the south.

The lamp is placed outside the main door because the threshold marks the boundary between the protected home and the outside world.

If the main door does not face south, the lamp can be placed in the southern corner of a verandah, balcony, or courtyard, or near a south-facing window.

Yama Deepam Story

The most popular Yama Deepam story is about the son of King Hima. Astrologers predicted that the prince would die from a snakebite on the fourth night after his wedding.

On that night, the prince's young wife did not let him sleep. She piled her gold ornaments and silver coins at the entrance of the chamber. She lit many lamps all around.

She then sang songs and told stories through the night to keep the prince awake.

Lord Yama arrived at the door in the form of a serpent. The glow of the lamps and the sparkle of the jewels blocked his way, and he could not enter.

He sat on the heap of ornaments and listened to the songs. At dawn, he left without taking the prince's life.

This story is linked with the custom of buying gold or metal items on Dhanteras. It also explains why a lamp is lit for Lord Yama that evening, in the hope that no harm enters the home.

Samagri for Yam Deep Daan

The traditional items are:

• A clay chaumukha diya, which is a lamp with four wicks. A regular clay diya with four wicks also works.

• Sesame (til) oil, with mustard oil as a common substitute

• Four cotton wicks

• A pinch of black sesame seeds

• Akshat (unbroken rice)

• Fresh flowers, especially marigold

• Ganga jal or clean water

• Incense, kumkum, and chandan, if followed in the family tradition

• A simple naivedya, such as til gud laddoo, jaggery, or any sweet

• A small plate or clean cloth to hold the lamp

• A matchbox or lighter

Clay is preferred because it represents the earth element.

How to Light Yama Deepam: Puja Vidhi

The Yama Deepam procedure is simple and can be followed at home in a few steps.

1. Prepare the space. The entrance is cleaned, and clean clothes are worn before the ritual.

2. Prepare the lamp. The clay diya is filled with sesame oil, and four cotton wicks are placed in it.

3. Choose the spot. The lamp is set outside the main door, on the threshold, balcony, or courtyard, with the flame turned south.

4. Make the sankalpa. Water, rice, and a flower are held in the hand while the intention is stated. A traditional sankalpa is: "Mama sakala parivarasya ayur arogya kshema siddhaye, akala mrityu nivaranaya, Yama deva prityartham cha, Yamadeepa danam karishye." It means the lamp is offered for the health, safety, and long life of the whole family and for the grace of Lord Yama.

5. Light the lamp. All four wicks are lit after sunset during Pradosh Kaal.

6. Offer the samagri. A little water is sprinkled around the lamp. Akshat, flowers, and naivedya are offered, and incense may be lit.

7. Chant the mantra. The Yam Deep mantra is recited three times, or eleven times if possible.

8. Pray. Hands are folded and prayers are offered for the safety and well-being of every family member.

9. Let the lamp burn. The lamp is traditionally allowed to burn out on its own, as long as it is safe.

Yam Deep Mantra and Yama Deepam Sloka

The most widely recited Yama Deepam sloka is:

Sanskrit:

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

Transliteration:

Mrityuna pasha dandabhyam kalena shyamaya saha,
Trayodashyam dipa danat surya jah priyatam mama.

Meaning: May Lord Yama, the son of Lord Surya, along with Mrityu, his noose and staff, Kala, and Goddess Yamuna (Shyama), be pleased with this lamp offering on Trayodashi.

Other mantras commonly chanted during the ritual are:

• Om Yamaya Namah

• Om Yama Devaya Namah

• Om Dharmarajaya Namah

• Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, chanted for health and long life

For those unfamiliar with the sloka, chanting "Om Yamaya Namah" with devotion is considered sufficient.

How to Make Yama Deepam at Home

A Yama Deepam can be prepared at home if a ready-made chaumukha diya is not available.

• Wheat flour or clay is kneaded into a soft dough.

• The dough is shaped into a small bowl.

• Four small grooves are made around the rim, or a regular clay diya with four wicks is used.

• The bowl is filled with sesame or mustard oil.

• Four cotton wicks are arranged, with one clearly facing south.

• The lamp is lit after sunset at the main entrance.

Note: Plastic lamps are avoided for this ritual.

If you have specific questions about the correct rituals, timings, or direction for placing the lamp, you can consult with verified astrologers on Astroyogi to ensure your prayers are performed accurately and to avoid any confusion.

Do's and Don'ts

Do:

• Light the lamp after sunset during Pradosh Kaal

• Use a clay lamp with four wicks

• Face the flame south

• Use a separate lamp for Lord Yama

• Pray for the whole family

• Keep fire safety measures ready

Don't:

• Use the Lakshmi Puja lamp as the Yama Deepam

• Place the lamp facing north or east when a southern placement is possible

• Leave an open flame unattended

• Treat the ritual as something to fear

What to Do the Next Morning

The lamp is allowed to cool completely. The remains are traditionally immersed in flowing water or placed near a Tulsi plant, peepal tree, or another sacred tree.

Consecrated lamp remains are not thrown into regular household waste.