Dhanteras is commonly associated with wealth and prosperity, but the festival also reminds you of something even more precious: the gift of life. One of the rituals performed on this day is Yama Deepa Danam, in which you light a diya in honor of Yamadev, the god of death, Dharma, and justice, and seek his protection from untimely death.
Lighting a lamp outside your home represents this blessing and is believed to invite divine protection and keep misfortune away. the Yama Diya is offered to seek protection and the well-being of your family While the regular diyas are associated with welcoming wealth and prosperity. Place it outside your main entrance, facing south, the direction associated with Lord Yama. You can place it on a small heap of rice grains.
Unlike the 12 regular diyas lit inside your home to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the Yama Diya is traditionally a large, four-faced Chaumukhi lamp. Light the 12 regular diyas inside your home in the early evening to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Traditionally, the Yama Diya is lit late at night, around 1:00–2:00 AM, after the family member has safely returned home and no one else needs to leave.
Because of certain planetary and nakshatra combinations that are believed to strengthen Yamadev’s protective influence, dhanteras is also considered significant.
Yamadev promises protection from untimely death to those who perform Deepa Danam on Dhanatrayodashi, according to the Skanda Purana.
What should you do with the diya the next morning?
If you light the diya outside your home, make sure it is placed in a stable and permitted location, away from anything that could catch fire.
