A chaumukhi diya is a four-faced lamp: one clay body with four spouts, so four wicks burn together instead of four separate diyas. This one is hand-painted terracotta in deep red with a gold border, and it now arrives with a 365 batti and five long rui batti, so it is ready to light for Yama Deepam at Diwali and to carry a whole year of diya offerings in a single flame.

It is also the shape the Yama Deepam ritual specifically calls for. Most diyas are chosen on looks. This one is chosen because the tradition names it.

What is in the box

• One Chaumukhi Diya, hand-painted red and gold terracotta
• One 365 batti, a single wick of 365 cotton threads, in its own clear pouch
• Five long rui batti, four for the spouts and one spare

The 365 batti sits in its clear pouch inside the diya, and the whole diya arrives in a round, hard clear case with a lid. It protects the hand-painted finish in transit and makes the diya ready to hand over as a gift, no wrapping needed.

Yama Deepam, and why the shape matters

Yama Deepam is one of the few rituals that specifies the lamp itself. Tradition holds that the Yama Deep should be four-faced and carry four wicks, and that it should be made of clay. The chaumukhi shape is what answers that requirement.

It is lit at dusk on Dhanteras or on Choti Diwali, also called Narak Chaturdashi, depending on family custom. The lamp is carried once around the house, then set down outside facing south, the direction associated with Yamaraj. It is offered seeking blessings for long life and protection for the household, and many families light fourteen more lamps around the home on the same night.

Practice varies by family and region, so follow what your household or your temple does. Our Yama Deepam 2026 guide has the UAE timing, mantra and step-by-step vidhi.

The 365 batti, a diya for every day of the year

The 365 batti is 365 cotton threads bound into one wick, one thread for each day of the year. Lit once, it offers a diya for every day of the year together in a single flame, which is why many homes, including Telugu families who know it as the 365 vattulu deepam, keep it for a special day of offering. The wide square bowl of this diya holds it in the centre with room for ghee around it. See our 365 batti guide for how to light it.

Product details

• Design: Chaumukhi, four-faced with four wick spouts
• Material: Premium terracotta clay
• Dimensions: 11 cm x 11 cm x 6 cm
• Finish: Hand-painted deep red with a glossy gold border
• Included: One 365 batti (about 8 cm wide) and five long rui batti
• Burns: Oil or ghee. Yama Deepam traditionally uses mustard oil, the 365 batti ghee or sesame oil
• Reusable: Yes, wipe and store after each use

Where it is lit

• Yama Deepam on Dhanteras or Choti Diwali
• Diwali and Lakshmi pooja, as the main lamp of the evening
• A year of diya in one offering, with the 365 batti
• Navratri and Karwa Chauth observances
• The daily mandir lamp, where one diya replaces four
• Diwali, housewarming and return gifting, straight from its clear gift case

How to light it

For Yama Deepam, with four wicks:

1. Fill the lamp with oil or ghee. Mustard oil is traditional for Yama Deepam.
2. Set one rui batti in each of the four spouts, with the tip resting outward.
3. Light all four and carry the lamp as your family custom asks.

With the 365 batti:

1. Set the 365 batti upright in the centre of the diya, stalk pointing up.
2. Pour warm ghee or sesame oil slowly over it until the cotton is soaked through, leaving a little pooled around the base.
3. Light the central stalk. It burns as one broad flame, much bigger than a single wick.

Use one set of wicks at a time, not both together. Always stand the diya on brass, stone or a metal plate, since clay gets hot underneath. Never leave a lit diya unattended, keep it clear of cloth, curtains and paper, and keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Care

Let the diya cool completely before touching or moving it, then clean it with a soft dry cloth. Do not wash it in water, as water lifts the hand-painted finish and soaks into the clay. Store it dry and handle it gently, since terracotta chips if it knocks against something.

Each piece is handcrafted by traditional artisans, so small variations in shape and painting between lamps are normal.

Buying a chaumukhi diya in the UAE

Divine Sansar delivers across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain, and at AED 39 the diya qualifies for free delivery on its own.

Browse Everyday Pooja Essentials to build the rest of the Diwali shelf in the same order.

Frequently asked questions

What is a chaumukhi diya?

Chaumukhi means four-faced. It is a single clay lamp with four spouts, so four wicks burn together from one body. The four are traditionally read as the four directions.

Is this the right diya for Yama Deepam?

Yes. Tradition holds that the Yama Deep should be four-faced with four wicks and made of clay, which is exactly what this lamp is. It is lit on Dhanteras or Choti Diwali and placed outside the house facing south.

Do I need to buy wicks separately?

No. Five long rui batti are included for the four spouts with one spare, plus one 365 batti for a full year of diya in one flame.

What is the 365 batti for?

It is a single wick of 365 cotton threads, one for each day of the year, lit once as a diya offered for every day of the year. It sits in the centre of this diya. It is plain cotton, so soak it in ghee or sesame oil before lighting.

Can I buy extra 365 batti?

Yes. The 365 batti is also sold on its own, for families who light more than one or want a spare for next year.

Is it a good gift?

Yes. It arrives in a round clear case with a lid, with the 365 batti tucked inside the diya, so it can be given as it is for Diwali, a housewarming or as a return gift. The meaning of the 365 batti, a diya for every day of the year, makes it a thoughtful wish for the year ahead.

Which oil should I use?

Oil or ghee both work for everyday pooja. For Yama Deepam, mustard oil is the traditional choice. For the 365 batti, cow ghee or sesame oil.

Can I wash it after use?

Please do not. Water lifts the hand-painted finish and soaks into the clay. Let the diya cool, then wipe it with a soft dry cloth and store it dry.

Is it reusable, or only for one night?

It is fully reusable. Painted terracotta comes back out year after year, which is why many households keep the same diya for their annual rituals.

Do you deliver across the UAE?

Yes. We deliver to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. At AED 39 this diya ships free on its own.

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