13 Diyas of Dhanteras: Which Lamp Goes at the Entrance, Tulsi Plant and Home Temple and What It Symbolises?

Dhanteras is associated with buying gold, worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and lighting diyas to welcome prosperity. But another tradition followed in many Hindu households involves lighting 13 diyas on Dhanteras and placing them at specific locations around the home. The practice is believed to bring health, prosperity and protection to the family. Each lamp is associated with a particular place, from the main entrance and Tulsi plant to the home temple, windows and rooftop.

The first diya is especially significant. It is traditionally dedicated to Lord Yama, the god of death, and is lit to seek protection from untimely death. The remaining lamps are associated with prayers for prosperity, well-being and the removal of darkness.

But why are 13 diyas lit on Dhanteras? Does every lamp have a specific placement? And is there one prescribed arrangement that every household must follow?


Here is a practical guide to the significance of the 13 diyas, their traditional placements and the variations devotees should know about.

Why Are 13 Diyas Lit on Dhanteras?

The number 13 is associated with Dhanteras because the festival falls on Trayodashi, the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik.

The word Dhanteras itself comes from Dhan, meaning wealth, and Teras, referring to the thirteenth day.

Lighting diyas is an important part of Hindu festivals, with the flame symbolising light, auspiciousness and the removal of darkness.

On Dhanteras, the tradition of lighting 13 lamps is associated with prayers for:

• Good health and longevity.
• Protection from untimely death.
• Wealth and prosperity.
• Peace and happiness in the household.
• Spiritual well-being and auspiciousness.

The number 13 is therefore linked to the festival's lunar date, while the individual lamps are associated with different aspects of household well-being.

However, there is an important distinction: the practice of lighting 13 diyas is a traditional observance, and the exact placement of every lamp is not universally identical across Hindu households.

Some families follow a 13-location arrangement, while others focus on the Yamadeep and the lamps used during Lakshmi puja.

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Where to Place the 13 Diyas on Dhanteras

One commonly circulated arrangement assigns the 13 diyas to different locations around the home. The following guide explains that arrangement and the traditional significance associated with each placement.

1. First Diya: Outside the Home, Facing South

The first diya is dedicated to Lord Yama and is known as Yamadeep or Yama Deepam.

It is traditionally placed outside the main entrance, facing south, the direction associated with Lord Yama.

The lamp is offered with prayers for protection from untimely death and the longevity of family members.

This is one of the most significant Dhanteras lamp rituals and is distinct from the diyas lit for Goddess Lakshmi.

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2. Second Diya: In the Home Temple

The second diya is traditionally lit with ghee and placed in the home temple or near the family's sacred space.

It is associated with prayers for divine blessings, good fortune and spiritual well-being.

The placement reflects the importance of maintaining a sacred, illuminated space within the home.

3. Third Diya: In Front of Goddess Lakshmi

The third diya is placed before Goddess Lakshmi during the Dhanteras puja.

The lamp is associated with prayers for wealth, financial stability and prosperity.

Dhanteras is widely considered an auspicious occasion to worship Lakshmi, and the diya forms part of the traditional offering.

4. Fourth Diya: Near the Tulsi Plant

The fourth diya is placed near the Tulsi plant.

Tulsi is revered in Hindu tradition and associated with Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Lighting a lamp near the plant is believed to bring peace, happiness and well-being to the household.

Some families follow a separate Tulsi lamp ritual during the evening.

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5. Fifth Diya: At the Main Entrance

The fifth diya is placed at the main entrance of the home.

The entrance is considered an important point through which people enter the household, and lighting a lamp here symbolises welcoming auspiciousness and prosperity.

In some households, lamps are placed on both sides of the entrance.

6. Sixth Diya: Beneath a Peepal Tree

The sixth diya is traditionally placed beneath a Peepal tree, where this practice is followed.

The Peepal tree holds religious significance in Hindu tradition and is associated with sacredness and the presence of divine forces.

Some traditions use mustard oil for this lamp.

This placement is not practical or customary for every household, particularly those living in apartments or urban areas without access to a Peepal tree.

7. Seventh Diya: At a Nearby Temple

The seventh diya is associated with a nearby temple.

Devotees may light a lamp at a temple as an offering and seek blessings for their family.

This practice reflects the connection between household observances and community worship.

Where temple offerings are not part of a family's custom, the lamp arrangement may differ.

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8. Eighth Diya: Near the Waste Disposal Area

The eighth diya is traditionally placed near the household's waste disposal area.

This placement is associated with the symbolic removal of negativity and the desire to maintain a clean and auspicious household.

However, a lamp should never be placed near combustible waste, plastic or other materials that could catch fire.

9. Ninth Diya: Outside the Bathroom

The ninth diya is placed outside the bathroom in some traditional arrangements.

The practice is associated with illuminating the darker or less frequently decorated areas of the home.

The diya should be positioned on a stable, fire-resistant surface, away from towels, curtains and other combustible materials.

10. Tenth Diya: On the Rooftop

The tenth diya is placed on the rooftop or terrace.

The lamp symbolises the spreading of light beyond the interior of the home.

In some traditions, rooftop lamps are associated with protection and the removal of darkness.

Households without a terrace may follow an alternative placement.

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11. Eleventh Diya: Near a Window

The eleventh diya is placed near a window.

The lamp is associated with allowing light to spread throughout the home and symbolically removing darkness.

Windows are also commonly decorated with diyas during the Diwali season.

12. Twelfth Diya: At the Highest Point of the Home

The twelfth diya is traditionally placed at the highest suitable point within the home.

The lamp is associated with prayers for the well-being and good health of family members.

The exact placement may vary according to the layout of the house and the family's customary practice.

13. Thirteenth Diya: At a Crossroads

The thirteenth diya is associated with a crossroads or intersection.

In some traditions, the lamp is placed at a nearby crossroads as a symbolic offering associated with auspiciousness and the removal of obstacles.

This is not a compulsory practice for every household.

If a family follows this custom, the lamp should be placed only in a safe location where it cannot obstruct pedestrians, traffic or public access.

The 13-Diya Placement Checklist

For readers who want a quick reference while performing the ritual, here is the commonly circulated arrangement in one place.

Diya	Traditional placement	Associated significance
1	Outside the home, facing south	Lord Yama, longevity and protection
2	Home temple	Divine blessings
3	Before Goddess Lakshmi	Wealth and prosperity
4	Near the Tulsi plant	Peace and household well-being
5	Main entrance	Auspiciousness and prosperity
6	Beneath a Peepal tree	Religious devotion and well-being
7	Nearby temple	Divine blessings
8	Near the waste disposal area	Symbolic removal of negativity
9	Outside the bathroom	Illumination of the home
10	Rooftop	Light and protection
11	Window	Spreading light
12	Highest suitable point in the home	Family well-being
13	Crossroads	Auspiciousness and removal of obstacles

Is the First Dhanteras Diya Different From the Other 12?

Yes. The first diya, known as Yamadeep, has a distinct religious significance.

It is dedicated to Lord Yama and is traditionally offered outside the home, facing south.

The ritual is associated with a story involving King Hima's son, whose predicted untimely death was believed to have been averted through the devotion of his wife.

The story is remembered as the origin of the Yamadeep tradition, although different versions of the narrative exist.

The Yamadeep is therefore not simply one of the lamps used for Diwali decoration. It is a specific offering made to Lord Yama.

For a detailed explanation of the story, ritual and significance of this lamp, read our guide on [Yamadeep on Dhanteras: The One Diya You’re Supposed to Light for Yama, Not Lakshmi].

How to Light the 13 Diyas Safely

Lighting diyas is a traditional part of Dhanteras, but the placement of lamps around the home requires care.

Follow these basic precautions:

• Use stable, fire-resistant surfaces for all lamps.
• Keep diyas away from curtains, paper, plastic, furniture and other combustible materials.
• Avoid placing lamps near waste, dry leaves or flammable decorations.
• Do not leave burning diyas unattended.
• Keep lamps out of reach of children and pets.
• Avoid placing lamps on rooftops, balconies or windows where wind could overturn them.
• Do not place lamps in public areas or at crossroads where they may obstruct pedestrians or traffic.
• Use battery-operated diyas where an open flame would be unsafe.

The religious significance of the ritual does not require taking unnecessary fire risks. A safe alternative can be used where the traditional placement is impractical.

Dhanteras 2026: When to Light the 13 Diyas

Dhanteras will be observed on Friday, November 6, 2026.

The festival falls on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi and is observed two days before Diwali.

The diyas are traditionally lit during the evening, with the Yamadeep offered to Lord Yama as part of the Dhanteras observance.

The exact puja muhurat depends on the location and the local Panchang. Devotees following a specific family tradition should refer to their local timings for the evening ritual.

For the full festival date, puja timings, significance and rituals, read our [Dhanteras 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat, Significance and Rituals] guide.

Why the 13 Diyas Matter on Dhanteras

The tradition of lighting 13 diyas brings together the different aspects of Dhanteras: health, prosperity, protection and spiritual well-being.

The first lamp is dedicated to Lord Yama, while the remaining lamps are associated with prayers and auspiciousness across the household.

The number 13 is connected to Trayodashi, the lunar day on which Dhanteras is observed.

The ritual also highlights the festival's broader significance beyond buying gold and worshipping Goddess Lakshmi.

For many devotees, lighting the diyas is a way to pray for the well-being of the family and welcome the Diwali season with light and devotion.

Dhanteras is also associated with Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician and a revered figure in Ayurveda. His worship highlights the importance of health alongside wealth and prosperity.

Read more about [Why Lord Dhanvantari Is Worshipped on Dhanteras — The Ayurveda Connection Explained] to understand why the festival is also observed as Dhanvantari Jayanti.

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