Dhanteras

• Dhanteras marks the first day of the five-day-long Diwali festival. 
• Dhanteras Festival, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanwantari Trayodasi, falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October/November).
• In South India it is the last day of Ashwin month. 
• On this day  Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well-being. 
• Hence Dhan Teras holds a lot more significance for the business community.

Dhanteras Legends

A very interesting story about Dhanteras Festival says that once the sixteen-year-old son of King Hima was doomed to die by a snake bite on the fourth day of his marriage as per his horoscope. On that particular fourth day of his marriage, his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs. 

When Yama, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes were blinded by the dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of ornaments and coins and sat listening to the melodious songs the whole night. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death. 

According to another popular legend, when the gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrit or nectar, Dhanavantri (the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu) emerged carrying a jar of the elixir on the day of Dhanteras. 

Dhanteras Preparations

To mark the auspicious day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. Small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses to indicate her long-awaited arrival. Lamps are kept burning all through the night. 

Dhanteras Traditions

On Dhanteras Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that the new “Dhan” or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck. "Laxmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny Diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are also sung. 

Dhanteras Celebrations 

Dhanteras is celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm. "Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. Bhajans or devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. Maharashtra has a peculiar custom of lightly pounding dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offering them as Naivedya.

In villages, cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In the south, cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshiped on this day. 

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2024 Date: October 29.