On October 30, 2024, Hindus will observe an important Hindu festival called Naraka Chaturdashi. An important tradition on this day involves lighting the Yama Deepak, a lamp dedicated to Yamraj during the Pradosh period. Yamraj is called the god of death.
In an interview with Local 18 Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain’s Pandit Anand Bhardwaj described the direction in which one should light an earthen lamp. The religious expert says the devotees should light a four-faced lamp filled with mustard oil in the South. According to Pandit Anand Bhardwaj, Yamraj’s direction has been mentioned in the South, according to the religious scriptures. Therefore, the earthen lamp should be lit in the South. The expert said that doing this ends the fear of uncertain death in the devotees’ minds.
By lighting a lamp, the devotees pray to Yama that he should always keep the doors of hell (Naraka) closed for us. This step allows believers to attain salvation. Many people also light lamps on this day to remove the presence of evil and negativities in life.
Apart from this task, the devotees should avoid doing certain things-
1. Yamraj, the god of Yamalok, is worshipped on Naraka Chaturdashi. Therefore, it is said that humans should not kill any living being on this day.
2. Yama’s direction is believed to be south according to the scriptures. Therefore, the devotees should maintain cleanliness in the south direction of the house. They should not leave even a corner dirty in this direction on Naraka Chaturdashi.
3. The donation of oil is believed to be of utmost significance in the religious scriptures. However, the devotees should avoid donating oil on this day because it infuriates Goddess Lakshmi. Also, the devotees should avoid eating tamasic food on this day. Tamasic dishes include things like meat, fish, garlic, onions, eggs, wine, intoxicants, leftovers, mushrooms, green onions, tobacco, etc. There is a common belief that meals like meat, fish, wine, garlic, onions, and tobacco are tamasic.
The devotees should also pray to Yamraj for the well-being and protection of all family members. They should refrain from disrespecting Yamraj and his buffalo.
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