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 arrives with five long rui batti so it is ready to light out of the box.

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.

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.

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: Five long rui batti (cotton wicks)
• Burns: Oil or ghee. Yama Deepam traditionally uses mustard 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
• Navratri and Karwa Chauth observances
• The daily mandir lamp, where one diya replaces four
• At the entrance on festival nights, indoors or in a sheltered spot
• Housewarming and return gifting

How to light it

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. Stand the diya on brass, stone or a metal plate. Clay gets hot underneath.
4. Never leave a lit diya unattended, and keep it clear of cloth, curtains and paper.
5. 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, with free delivery on orders above AED 30. Since the ritual calls for more lamps than one, most households order two or more, which clears the threshold 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, four for the lamp and one spare, so it is ready to light when it arrives.

Which oil should I use?

Oil or ghee both work for everyday pooja. For Yama Deepam specifically, mustard oil is the traditional choice.

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.

How many should I buy?

One chaumukhi diya for the Yama Deep itself. Many families also light fourteen additional lamps around the home on the same night, so orders of two or more are common.

Do you deliver across the UAE?

Yes. We deliver to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. Free delivery on orders above AED 30, otherwise a flat AED 10 fee applies.

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