Yama Deepam, also known as Yamadeepdaan or Yama Deepa Daan, is an annual occasion that is dedicated to the worship of Lord Yama, the lord of death along with Lord Kuber and Goddess Laxmi. Yama Deepam is a popular ritual which is done in the evening of Dhanteras (the first day of Diwali) to honour Yama. The purpose of this ritual is to protect family members from untimely death and to seek Yama's blessings for a long and healthy life. Yama Deepam 2024 will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. In this article, we bring you Yama Deepam 2024 date, time, Yamadeepdaan puja timings, Dhantrayodashi tithi and significance to mark the auspicious ritual during the Diwali week. Diwali 2024 Full Calendar With Dates of Dhanteras, Laxmi Puja and Bhai Dooj: When Is Deepawali Starting This Year? Know All About 5-Day 'Festival of Lights'. 

Yama Deepam 2024 Date and Timings

Yama Deepam 2024 will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 29. According to Drikpanchang, the Yama Deepam Sayan Sandhya will be from 06:06 PM to 07:22 PM. The Yamadeepdaan or lighting of the lamps during Dhanteras 2024 is from 06:52 PM to 08:30 PM. The Dhantrayodashi tithi on October 29 begins at 10:31 AM on Oct 29, 2024 and ends at 01:15 PM on Oct 30, 2024.

Yama Deepam Rituals

On the day of Yama Deepam, a diya is lit for the God of death Yamaraj, outside home on Trayodashi Tithi during Diwali. This ritual, known as Deepdan for Yamraj, is done to ward off any untimely death of any family members. The diya is lit outside the home during Sandhya time. It is believed that Deepdan pleases Lord Yama and he protects family members from any accidental death.

Yama Deepam Significance

Yama Deepam is an important Hindu occasion that is marked with great devotion across India. The name Yama Deepam comes from two words ‘Yama’, representing Yama, the God of death, and ‘Deepam’, meaning lamp or light. The lighting of a lamp dedicated to Lord Yama on the day of Dhanteras is symbolic of dispelling darkness and warding off evil, including death.

It is believed that those who light a four-faced diya dedicated to Lord Yama on the evening of Dhanteras are freed from the fear of death, as Lord Yama offers his protection and blesses them with long life and well-being. This ritual is also thought to prevent premature death. The diya should be placed outside the house, as Dhanatrayodashi is the only day when people worship Lord Yama, the god of death.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 18, 2024 06:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).