India marks many festivals with a lot of passion and joy. According to Indian tradition, the five-day Diwali holiday starts on a good day called Dhanteras. It is made up of two Sanskrit words: Dhan, which means wealth, and Teras, which means thirteenth day.
Dhanteras is an auspicious Hindu festival that is held on the thirteenth moon day of Karthik month. This day is also called Dhanatrayodashi. On Dhanteras, people pray to Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Laxmi, and Kubera. Hindus love to buy gold, silver, cars, tools, property, and other valuable things on this happy day to have a good future.
Dhanteras Puja 2023 Date and Time
On November 10, 2023, Dhanteras will be celebrated. On the day of Trayodashi, which is when Dhanteras happens, Trayodashi begins at 12:35 pm on November 10, 2023, and ends at 1:57 pm on November 11, 2023.
Dhanteras Story
An old tale tells the story of a well-known king named Hima, whose son was said to die from a snake bite on the fourth day after his wedding. But Hima’s daughter-in-law kept her husband from dying by stopping Yamaraj, the God of death, from entering her room.
Hima’s daughter-in-law did not let her husband sleep on that specific D-day. She put a lot of gold jewellery and silver coins at the door to her room and turned on many lights. Then, to keep her husband from falling asleep, she told him stories and sang religious songs and mantras. When Yamaraj, the God of death, showed up at her door as a snake, the strong light from her sparkling jewellery and lit bright lamps made him lose sight.
Yamaraj couldn’t get into the Prince’s room, so he sat outside and listened to the stories and chants for the whole night. He left that place the next morning without hurting the young Prince. So, the young Prince got a new start because his new bride was smart. Since then, people have been celebrating this festival called Dhanteras.
Significance of Dhanteras Puja (Dhantrayodashi Puja)
Dhanteras is an auspicious day because Hindus worship Goddess Lakshmi and God Dhanvantari on this day to ask for their blessings for a healthy, happy, and rich life. The story of Samudra Manthan says that on this day of Trayodashi, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu’s wife, came up from the sea. So, on Trayodashi, Goddess Lakshmi is honoured.
Another tale says that during Samudra Manthan, God Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, came out of the sea with a pot of Amrit (the divine nectar of immortality) in one hand and the sacred book about Ayurveda in the other. Hindus also honour God Dhanvantari, who is seen as the Vaidya (healer) of Gods. He gave people the knowledge of Ayurveda so they could live without getting sick. Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantari Jayanti because of this. During the puja, people say the following mantra 108 times to thank God Dhanvantri and ask for His blessing:
Om Namoh Bhagvatey Vasudevaya, Dhanvantraye Amritkalashaye
Sarvamaya Vinashaye Trilokanathaya, Sri Mahavishnave Swaha
Rituals of Dhanteras
- Because the day of Dhanteras is a very lucky day, Indian homes that haven’t been cleaned for Diwali are completely whitewashed. People who love the house put colourful lanterns and lights at the front door.
- At the house’s front door, traditional Rangoli drawings are made to welcome the God of Health and the Goddess of Wealth. Small footprints are made all over the house with rice flour and vermilion powder to welcome the goddess Lakshmi.
- People think that on Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi goes to the homes of her followers to grant wealth and prosperity. In honour of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari, people light diyas and let them burn all night long on Dhanteras.
- On this happy day, Hindus buy new things, especially things made of gold or silver and new home appliances, and utensils. We do this because we think a new form of wealth or a precious metal will bring good luck. People in India often think buying gold and silver on Dhanteras will bring them wealth and happiness.
- Hindus arrange their prayer room for Lakshmi Puja on this night with flowers, incense sticks, and clay lamps called diyas. They sell veggies and traditional sweets like Halwa, made with wheat flour. They sing prayers, bhajans, and songs of love to God Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi.
- Many followers don’t know this, but some people fast from sunrise to sunset on this day. First, they give the Gods Panchamrit, made of curd, milk, honey, sugar, and ghee. Then, they break their fast by eating it as a prasad. This is done in the Pradosh Kaal (evening time) after the Kuber Lakshmi Puja. Then they eat food that is good for them.
Things to Avoid for Successful Dhanteras Puja Vidhi at Home
- Don’t worship glass idols. Different stories from the Puranas say that Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi statues should be made of clay, silver, or gold. Glass things and glass idols are not good for devotees to buy.
- Don’t lend or borrow money. Most people believe that on this happy day, Dhanteras, they shouldn’t lend or borrow money. It might make Goddess Lakshmi mad, and she might leave your house to go to someone else.
- Make sure to leave shoes by your front door. Keep the front door of your house clean and tidy. Take off your shoes, socks, and any other dirt or trash that might be there. It might make Goddess Lakshmi angry when she comes to your house, and She might turn Her holy feet in a different way.
In Summary
Dhanteras is a holiday in India that people look forward to every year. People like to buy valuable metals and kitchenware around this time because they think it will help them get richer and bring them luck. Tradition says that they clean their homes very well a few days before Lakshmi puja on Dhanteras.
They decorate their homes with diyas, candles, paint, bright flowers, and many other things because they are sure that Goddess Lakshmi will come to their beautiful homes and grant their wishes. Hindus pray to Lord Ganesh, Goddess Lakshmi, God Dhanvantari, and Kubera (the keeper of all the wealth in the world) in the evening to live a long, healthy, and happy life.