Five days from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj when Yama is honoured and lamps are lit for long life

Yama Panchaka is the five-day span from Kartika Krishna Trayodashi (Dhanteras) to Kartika Shukla Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj, also called Yama Dwitiya), which together form the Diwali festival. Yama, the lord of death and dharma, is honoured throughout these five days, and scriptures prescribe lighting lamps each evening to protect the family from untimely death. The period opens with Yama Deepam, the south-facing lamp lit at the entrance on Dhanteras; continues with Naraka Chaturdashi, when an oil bath before dawn and the Yama tarpan are prescribed; includes the Amavasya of Lakshmi Puja, when ancestors are guided home by lamps; and closes on Yama Dwitiya, the day Yama visited his sister Yamuna, who fed him and received the boon that siblings who meet on this day are freed from fear of death. In Nepal the same five days are Tihar, or Yamapanchak, when crows (Yama's messengers), dogs (guardians of his gates), cows and oxen are worshipped, followed by Bhai Tika. Performing charity, bathing, and lighting lamps during Yama Panchaka is believed to secure Yama's favour for the whole year.

No continuous fast; individual days have their own customs.