- By Kashish Rai
- Thu, 16 Oct 2025 03:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Yama Deepam 2025: Narak Chaturdashi is also known as Chhoti Diwali, Roop Chaudas, or Chhoti Diwali in different places. This festival is celebrated the day before Diwali. Traditionally, the Yam Deep is lit on this day. While some families also light the Yam Deep on the night of Dhanteras, many others light it the day before Diwali. In such cases, you can light the lamp according to your household tradition.
If there is a tradition of lighting Yam Deep on Dhanteras in your house, then light it on the night of 18th October and if you light it a day before Diwali, then it will be auspicious to light Yam Deep on the evening of 19th October.
Check out the date, timings, significance and vidhi to light Yama Diya before Diwali below:
Yama Deepam 2025: Date And Time
Those who light Yama Deepam on Dhanteras must light it on 18th October 2025 between 05:13 PM to 06:27 PM, during the Sayahna Sandhya.
Additionally, those who light Yama Deepam on Choti Diwali must light it between 05:12 PM to 06:27 PM on 19th October 2025.
Yama Deepam 2025: Significance
According to religious belief, the Yama Diya is lit on Dhanteras to ward off the fear of untimely death and to seek blessings from Yamraj for long life and health. The tradition of lighting the Yama Diya is followed on Dhanteras or Naraka Chaturdashi, where Yamaraj is worshipped and the lamp is lit facing south. This lamp is also called "Yama-Deep" or "Yama Deepdan."
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The Yama Deepam or Yama Deepak is lit on the night of Dhanteras (Yama Deepdan) and is kept burning for five consecutive days, until Bhai Dooj in some regions. This lamp is lit outside the main entrance of the house, facing south, and is lit every day before being immersed the next day.
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Yama Deep Daan is performed in honour of Lord Yama, the Lord of Death in Hinduism. (Image Source: Canva)
Yama Deepam 2025: Vidhi To Light Yama Diya
The Yama Deep should always be four-faced (Chaumukhi) and contain four wicks. Lighting this lamp, which spreads light in all four directions, pleases the god Yama and protects all members of the household from accidents and untimely death.
The scriptures state that the Yama lamp should always be lit in the south direction, as this direction is considered the direction of Yamaraj. It is auspicious to light the lamp made of clay or flour, and it is traditional to light it with mustard oil.
On the day of Narak Chaturdashi, lighting a Yama lamp along with 14 other lamps is considered extremely auspicious. These lamps are placed in various places in the house, such as the prayer room, kitchen, near the Tulsi plant, the main entrance, water bodies, the terrace and the bathroom. They are considered a symbol of bringing positive energy and happiness and prosperity to the entire home.
Where To Place The Yama Diya
After lighting the Yam Deep, first move it around the house, then place it in a clean place outside the house, facing south.
(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)