Dhantrayodashi is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. This day is particularly important for the business community. We trace the origin of this belief to a legend related to King Hima. It is believed that the sixteen-year-old son of King Hima was destined to die on the fourth day of his marriage by snakebite. Nothing could have changed his future, but his wife was determined to change the course of destiny. So on the fateful day, she lit innumerable lamps all over the palace. Determined to save her husband from the claws of death, she laid all her ornaments, gold and silver coins in a huge heap at the entrance of the palace. Sleep evaded her so she sat there singing melodious songs and narrating stories throughout the night. Lord Yama – the God of death was there as destined, but in the disguise of a snake. But the shimmering lamps and the lustrous jewels blinded his eyes and fortunately for the Prince, Lord Yama could not enter the palace. The course of destiny could not be changed; not even Lord Yama himself could do that. The Prince was destined to die and it was inevitable that Lord Yama do his duty. The dazzle prevented him from entering the Palace and so Lord Yama climbed upon the heap of ornaments and sat there till the night passed away and the first ray of light touched the earth. Lord Yama was engrossed in listening to the stories that he failed to realize the passage of time and by the time he realized it was already too late. And so in the morning, Lord Yama still in the guise of a snake quickly slithered away.

Thus the dedicate wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day is known as "Yamadeepdan" and thousands of lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverence to Yama, the God of death. It is believed that those who worship Lord yama on this day will be saved from untimely death. And so till date, people light lamps facing the south for it is believed to be in the direction of Lord Yama.