It is the Festive Season and the time to welcome Wealth, Abundance and Prosperity into our Homes! Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali and the time for new beginnings.
Dhanteras (also known as Dhantrayodashi) is an auspicious day to buy Gold and Silver, Utensils and Electronics. The belief is that it is a must to buy something (big or small) on this day as it brings good luck.
While we all enjoy the commercial elements of the festivals, somewhere, with our busy schedules, we seem to have forgotten the actual meaning of the festival, and follow only the minimalistic rituals that have been passed down to us, and which have suited us. Most of us today associate Dhanteras with buying something of metal signifying the bringing home of prosperity. In actuality this is only a small part of it. Here’s some more about this festival –
5 Aspects of Dhanteras
An occasion to invite Wealth & Prosperity into our Homes
- Worship of Lord Dhanvantri – He is the God of Health and Ayurveda.
- Dhanteras marks the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi,
- Worship of and honoring of Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and Lord Kubera, the God of Wealth.
- Auspicious Beginnings – An auspicious time for new beginnings, investments and purchases.
- Cleansing and Purification of the home, body and soul. A time for readying yourself for illumination.
About the Dhanteras Festival
Dhanteras is the first day of the Diwali celebrations. It is celebrated on triyodashi (ie. on the 13th tithi ) of Krishan Paksha in the month of Kartik. It is widely celebrated in North and West India.
The festival is dedicated to worshipping Lord Kuber, the god of wealth, and Lord Dhanvantri, the god of medicine.
Dhanvantari Puja is held on this day for the blessings of the Divine Physician, Dhanvantri, for the health of all the family members. He is believed to eradicate all diseases.
Dhanteras marks the end of the Diwali shopping, and the beginning of the Diwali celebrations. Diwali Puja starts on Dhanteras, continues through Chhoti Diwali, Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dhooj. Traditionally it starts with decorating the house with rangoli, and inviting the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi into the house. Tiny footsteps in vermillion are made indicative of Her coming into the house. Her picture or idol is cleaned and decorated. A must buy on this day is something in metal (preferably a utensil) to be blessed by Her on this auspicious day. Some families perform Lakshmi Puja on this day, but most perform it on Diwali night. Homes and offices are decorated and rangoli are made to welcome the Goddess.
Additional (lesser known) Rituals to do on this day
Other than the prayers to the deities, there is also the tradition of worshipping cows on this day. Food is given to them as they are significations of prosperity.
Traditionally, the main water containers are scrubbed clean, the clay water pot is changed on this day, and decorated with a tika and flowers.
Yamadeepan
Another lost tradition is of the Yamadeepan.
Yamadeepdaan is a must in each house as it is believed to ward off untimely death in the family and the removal of problems and fears. Lamps dedicated to Yamraj, the God of Death, are left burning all night long. Preferably light a four-faced diya with four wicks, placed outside the house facing the South direction.
Some families also light a lamp for their ancestors on Dhanteras and float it down a river. In South India, Yama Tarpanam is performed on Narak Chaturdasi (chhoti Diwali), by offering Tarpan to the dead relatives.
You can light earthen diyas at the entrance to banish evil spirits.
Dhanteras is the auspicious day for prayers and celebrations for the wealth and prosperity in all aspects of life for all members of the family.
What rituals do you follow on this day?
Blessed Be!
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
Good information. For me, it’s just another day but it amazes me how you guys do so much for each of your festivals. Keep it up!
It was a great read. India is full of such rich and beautiful traditions and festivals, it amazes me.
I perform the Dhanteras Puja every year at my home not just to welcome prosperity, health, wealth and happiness for my family and friends but also I feel good from within when I do so. The points that you mentioned above are right and I would like to add a few more points being a part of the occult science and astrology world.
1. Purchasing of metal gold , silver, copper and not steel, glass or any other metal.
2. Avoid making payments on that day for any dues on that day better do it in advance.
3. Donate to poor people and do Goh(cow) sewa by feeding bread or grass.
4. Don’t distribute gifts of festivals on that day.
Happy Dhanteras and Diwali in Advance ❤
It’s good to have these details. Worshipping the god of health and wealth, inviting joy and prosperity, we all need these happy times to keep the faith in life’s blessings alive. I like lighting diyas on all days, actually. They bring so much joy to the house.
Thank you for explaining the underlying concept of Dhanteras.
Isn’t it interesting how good health and wealth go hand in hand and were worshipped even traditionally!
Thank you for sharing more about this auspicious Hindu Festival and the rituals associated with it.
Dhanteras is a significant day for many of us, and I appreciate your post on it. This day is perfect time to prioritize our well-being and good health of our loved ones.
Thanks for sharing this information. People hardly know about the days which are part of Diwali but rarely celebrated …
Interesting tidbit about Yamadeepam. In the South, we celebrate Narakachaturthi (vanquishing of Narakasura by Krishna and Satyabhama, and in some southern states, as Balipadyami, (the visit of King Bali to Earth). Yamadeepam is totally new to me, and thanks for sharing that pertinent detail.
Thank you for sharing such an informative post. The way we celebrate Dhanteras is by buying a household item.
I really need to follow every single ritual about Dhanteras, that you have shared.Usually I just buy something for my daughter. But this year my health and wealth have gone for a toss. Thank you for sharing in detail.
Thank You for sharing such an informative piece
Dhanteras truly feels like the heart of Diwali. It’s a beautiful reminder to welcome not just material wealth, but health, prosperity, and spiritual cleansing into our homes.
Honestly, among Tamilians we don’t celebrate Dhanteras. But I have lived in North India and have seen people buy gold/ jewellery on this day. I didn’t know we can buy utensils too. Besides, I had no idea of yamadeepam. Your post gave me new information, thanks a lot. Now I’m thinking I should at least buy a utensil and of course say the Lakshmi shlokas I know on that day. 🙂
Thank you for sharing the in-depth backstory and rituals behind this auspicious day. I’ve been celebrating it for years but never understood why and how we should do it so this was a really interesting read
I only knew about buying a metal and Laxmi puja. But I understood it’s much more than that
What a wonderful reminder of the significance of Dhanteras! We decorate the house in the morning, buy a utensil and keep it in the temple while praying in the evening. We also light a diya at the entrance. While we follow all these traditions, I really had no idea of their significance. Thank you for shedding light on these beautiful customs!
We don’t follow the customs as such since we are not Hindus, but Mom does buy a household item on Dhanteras. Thank you for sharing about the festival. I did get to learn something new today.
Loved reading more about Dhanteras! Health is wealth but I wouldn’t mind some neat wealth either!
Good health is way more important than health and this comes as a realization. This beautiful post captures the true essence of the festival.
I may not be a Hindu but I always love learning what other culture or religion do or believe in. This made me realise how similar beliefs could be and made me more value of having a religion to follow or believe in.
Happy Belated Dhanteras
What a mesmerizing post! This post reminded me of childhood procedures we used to follow on Dhanteras. Even after marriage, I try my best to keep these customs intact for my kids to know all the rituals followed by us.
A lovely detailed post. I had no idea about the tradition of Yamadeepam!