Tue Oct 29 14:49:35 UTC 2024: ## Dhanteras 2024: Light a ‘Yam Deep’ to Ward Off Misfortune

**New Delhi:** The festival of Dhanteras, celebrated annually on the 13th lunar day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik, is known for its auspiciousness, particularly when it comes to buying gold, silver, and new utensils. However, this year, an age-old tradition offers an additional layer of protection: the ‘Yam Deep’, a special lamp lit on the evening of Dhanteras, said to ward off untimely death and accidents.

The ritual involves lighting a four-wick earthen lamp filled with mustard oil after worshipping Lord Dhanvantari and Kubera. This lamp, meant to appease Yamraj (the god of death), is then carried around the house and finally placed outside facing the south.

This year, the auspicious time for lighting the ‘Yam Deep’ falls between 5:30 PM and 7:02 PM on October 29th, 2024.

The legend behind this practice involves a king named Hem, whose son was destined to die four days after his wedding. Despite all efforts to prevent this, the prince married a princess and was visited by Yamraj’s messengers on the fourth day. The princess’s pleas for mercy reached Yamraj, who declared that while death is inevitable, lighting a lamp on Dhanteras could safeguard against an untimely demise.

So, on Dhanteras 2024, follow this ancient custom and light the ‘Yam Deep’ to bring good fortune and protection to your family.

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