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News India Live, Digital Desk: As soon as we hear the name of Dhanteras, images of gold and silver coins, new utensils and shopping come to our mind. On this day, we all bring different types of things home to please Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber. But do you know that there is a tradition of this day, which is not related to wealth, but to the health and longevity of the entire family?
This is the tradition of lighting ‘Yam ka Diya’. Yes, on the night of Dhanteras a lamp is lit in the name of Yamraj, the god of death. This is perhaps the only festival when the God of Death is worshiped and his blessings are sought. It is believed that by doing this, the danger of untimely death in the family is averted and everyone remains safe throughout the year.
What is the story behind this?
According to the legend, once Yamdoot came to take the life of a king. The king’s newly-wed wife requested the eunuchs not to take her husband away. Then the messengers of Yam said that if any living being donates a lamp in the name of Yamraj on the night of Trayodashi (Dhanteras) of Kartik Krishna Paksha, he will not be afraid of untimely death. Since then this tradition started.
How, where and when to light ‘Yam ka Diya’?
This is a special way and rule of lighting the lamp. Even a small mistake made in this can make the puja incomplete.
- Which lamp? For this always use an old earthen lamp only. If you do not have an old lamp, you can also make a four-sided (four-wicked) lamp made of flour.
- Which oil? Mustard oil is always used in this lamp.
- Right time: This lamp is not lit during the day or in the morning. It should always be lit after sunset at night, when all the family members come home.
- Where to burn? This lamp is never lit inside the house. It should be kept outside the main door of the house, on the right side. The lamp should always face south, because this is considered the direction of Yamraj.
- Burning method: Before lighting the lamp, place some rice or wheat on the ground and place the lamp on top of it. Now the eldest member of the family should light this lamp and pray to Yamraj to protect all the members of the family from untimely death.
- An important rule: After placing the lamp, no member of the house should look back at it. Quietly light the lamp and come inside the house.
So this Dhanteras, while shopping for valuables, do not forget to light ‘Yam ka Diya’ for the safety of your family. This small ritual can protect the happiness of your home from the evil eye.