The long-awaited festival of Hindus, Dhanteras is about to start all over India. Celebrated on the first day of a five-day-long Diwali festival, it holds a special place in the hearts of people across the country. Dhanteras or Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanvantari Trayodashi, is a celebration to welcome wealth and well-being. It’s believed that on this day, we should bring utensils, jewellery, brooms, gold or silver coins, gomti chakra, or electronic items home. In this article, we will read about the history, significance, and understanding what is Dhanteras festival and the traditions behind the Dhanteras celebration.
What is Dhanteras?
Dhanteras is derived from two words: Dhan, which means wealth, and Teras, which means the thirteenth day. Therefore, Dhanteras falls on the thirteenth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the Hindu month of Ashwin. As per the Gregorian calendar, the time of Dhanteras usually falls in October or November. Many households all over India worship Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, on this day to seek her blessings for financial prosperity.
History of Dhanteras
Several stories revolve around the history of Dhanteras. To understand the significance of Dhanteras, we must dig deep into Hindu mythology.
So the story goes, during Samudra Manthan, Dhanvantri, the lord of Ayurveda emerged with the holy book of Ayurveda to bless people on Earth. On this day, he brought along the elixir of immortality known as "Amrita."
image credit:- Temple purohit
According to Skanda Purana, the churning of the sea was the source of the birth of Lord Dhanvantri.
Another story goes by the emergence of Goddess Laxmi from Samudra Manthan. She emerged from the sea with a vessel filled with gold. Gold symbolizes wealth, happiness, prosperity, and happiness. To welcome Goddess Laxmi, many households in India decorate the entrance of their homes with diya and rangoli on Dhanteras.
Another popular story associated with Goddess Laxmi goes as follows: Lord Vishnu went to visit the earth with Goddess Laxmi, but on one condition, Goddess Laxmi can only look in the southern direction. Even after promising to stick to her pledge, she failed to stick to it and craved sugarcane juice. Annoyed by her actions, Lord Vishnu commanded her to serve a poor farmer for 12 years. With Goddess Laxmi’s arrival into his family, the farmer prospered in farming and welcomed wealth. As 12 years were over and her time to leave the Earth arrived, the farmer refused to let her go. Goddess Laxmi finally revealed her true identity to him and promised to visit him on every Dhanteras. To welcome Maa Laxmi, the farmer started to keep his home clean and lit diya on Dhanteras.
Hindu mythology is so mysterious and so many stories are associated with Dhanteras that it’s fascinating even to the most atheists. The third story related to Dhanteras is one of the most incredible stories ever told in any mythology. It is about King Hima’s son. It’s believed that his horoscope predicted his death 3 days after his marriage from a snake bite. To perplex the snake, his wife piled up all her jewellery and coins with diyas lighted on them near the front door. When the dead God Yamraj came in the shape of a snake, the brightness in front of the door deceived him from finding the way to King Hima’s son. Waiting all night near the door, Yama left the next morning without him.
On Dhanteras, the 13 days Indians lit in their homes, they are dedicated to Lord Kuber, the god of wealth and properties.
Significance of Dhanteras
Dhanteras, the day stands for a combination of Dhan (wealth) and Teras (thirteenth). It is the day when acquiring new assets, jewelry made of gold, and silver, and utensils, are believed to usher prosperity into one's home. The day is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of wealth and good fortune. Devotees illuminate their homes with oil diyas, and candles, to welcome the deity. It’s a festival to open doors for health, wealth, success, happiness, and well-being in your life. The tale of Dhanvantari's emergence during the churning of the ocean represents the importance of good health. As Maa Laxmi only goes in clean, well-maintained homes, homeowners clean and decorate the houses symbolizing the cleansing of both one's physical and spiritual self. It is also a day to get Dhanteras gifts for your family and friends.
When is Dhanteras 2024?
Dhanteras 2024 is being celebrated on 29th October, Tuesday.
Different Days of Dhanteras
Dhanteras is not just a one-day celebration but it’s the beginning of a five-day long festival. The second day, also known as Choti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi, is dedicated to Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. The day of Laxmi Pujan is known as Badi Diwali.
How is Dhanteras Celebrated in India?
Lights, happiness, wealth, and prosperity sit at the heart of Dhanteras. It’s a day to decorate our homes with lights. There remains no darkness in any corner of our home. It’s the day that rings the bell announcing the arrival of Diwali or Kali Puja. It is the beginning of the festival that we all long for a year.
From gifting our loved ones to adorning our home with handmade candles, the joy of celebration knows no bounds. Many question what to do in Dhanteras when the answer lies in its story. It’s the day to surround ourselves with new essentials such as jewelry, and coins. Dhanteras embodies the spirit of giving, with people exchanging diwali gifts as tokens of love and goodwill and generously donating to those less fortunate. This auspicious day is also believed to be the perfect time to initiate new ventures or investments. Shop owners or business owners partake in the tradition of Chopda Pujan to inaugurate account books for the upcoming year. Colourful rangoli designs, arranging puja for blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu, and sumptuous feasts and delectable sweets bring families together to celebrate the occasion.
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Dhanteras is more than a mere festival; it's a celebration of hope, prosperity, and the triumph of light over darkness. As we welcome Dhanteras 2023, you might also be wondering what to buy on this Dhanteras. Celebrate this Dhanteras by purchasing silver coins, handmade idols & figurines, Tulsi Kansa mugs, or copper urli to welcome all the wealth and happiness in your home. For everything that you might need on Dhanteras, your favourite Indian handicraft online store, iTorki has your back.
Happy Dhanteras!
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