Dhanteras Celebration

Dhanteras is celebrated by Hindus all over India and across the world. It usually falls between October - November and marks the beginning of the five-day celebrations of Diwali. It takes place two days before Diwali to honor Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Vishnu. Dhan means wealth and Teras means 13th day. Dhanteras is observed on the 13th day of Krishna Paksh in the Kartik month of the Hindi calendar. This festival is also known as Yamadeep, Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanvantari Trayodashi
On this day, we pray for good health and wealth for the family. Dhanteras is especially a very significant festival for the business community. People purchase machinery and metals like iron, gold, brass, silver and copper as it is believed that if you obtain “dhan” or wealth on this day, it will make the Goddess of Wealth – Lakshmi – happy and she will visit your home, which will bring prosperity and wealth for the rest of the year.

Click here to read about the legends behind why Dhanteras is celebrated.

Dhanteras Celebrations

Houses are cleaned thoroughly and decorated to look beautiful and welcoming. People make rangoli and light clay lamps to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. There is a puja ceremony held, according to an auspicious time, prayers are offered. Lakshmi and Ganesha idols are bought for the main puja on the Diwali day.  While buying the idols it s kept in mind that the trunk of Ganeshji is turned towards the right as it is considered more auspicious.

On Dhanteras Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped to usher in prosperity and wealth especially among the business community.

Homes and offices are decorated on the occasion of Dhanteras and the entrances are made colorful with traditional Rangoli to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Small footprints are also drawn all over the house to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.

It’s been a long tradition to buy utensils and gold and silver coins and ornaments during Dhanteras. It’s been a common trend these days to exchange gifts among friends and families on this day.

Many people set up businesses or buy cars or even set up wedding dates. Lakshmi puja is performed with faith and dedication and tiny diyas or lamps are lit the whole night.

Devotional songs or bhajans are sung in praise of Goddess Lakshmi. In Maharashtra, there is a custom of offering dry coriander seeds and jaggery as Naivedya. In villages cattle are worshiped by farmers as they are the source of their income.

धनतेरस त्योहार का महत्व हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिये यहां क्लिक करें