What is Dhanteras?

Dhanteras is the first-day celebration of the five days long Diwali festival celebrations throughout India as well as outside the country. The meaning of Dhanteras is puja of wealth at 13th day (in the Krishna Paksha, dark fortnight) of the month of Ashvin according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Goddess Lakshmi puja is held on this day and there is a custom of purchasing precious things in the myth that Goddess Lakshmi comes home. It brings home a lot of destiny and prosperity.

How is Dhanteras celebrated?

At this great occasion, people generally repair their home, do whitewashing, thorough cleaning, decorate house interiorly and exteriorly, make Rangolis, light clay diyas and follow much more traditions.

They stick readymade footprints of Goddess Lakshmi to bring wealth and prosperity to their home.

After sunset, people offer puja to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh to bring prosperity, wisdom and well being by offering rose or marigold garland, sweets, ghee diyas, dhoop deep, agarbatti, camphor and etc.

People chant mantras, bhakti songs and arti for Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh and also wear new clothes and jewelry.

Legends and stories of Dhanteras

The legend behind celebrating the Dhanteras is the story of 16 years old son of the King Hima.His death was forecasted by snake biting at the 4th day of his marriage. His wife was very clever and searched the way to save the life of her husband. She disallowed her husband to sleep on that special day. She collected lots of her ornaments, coins of gold and silver and made a heap at the doorway of her bedroom and lit lamps everywhere in the room. She recited the stories in order to keep her husband awake.

The god of Death, Yama had arrived there in the form of Serpent. Suddenly his eyes started dazzling because of the lighting lamps and jewellery. He was unable to enter the room so he tried to climb over the heap of coins. But after listening to the song of prince’s wife he sat down there for the whole night. And slowly it became morning and he went away without taking her husband. In this way she had saved the life of her husband, from then the day was started celebrating as Dhanteras.

Another legend behind celebrating Diwali, the ocean was churned by Gods and demons to get Amrita or nectar. Dhanvantari (known as the physician of Gods and an embodiment of Lord Vishnu) had emerged out (having the jar of elixir) from the ocean churning. From then, that day was celebrated as Dhanteras.