In Hindu tradition, Dhanteras, or Dhanatrayodashi, is the start of the five-day Diwali celebration. It occurs on the thirteenth lunar day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which is often October or November, during the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight). Derived from the words “Dhan” (wealth) and “Teras” (the thirteenth day), comes the word “Dhanteras”.
Importance of Dhanteras: Dhanteras is a festival devoted to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, who is associated with prosperity and wealth. Buying gold, silver, or silverware on this day is considered auspicious as it represents bringing prosperity into the home.
Good Fortune: Purchasing new things on Dhanteras, particularly metals, is thought to bring good fortune and auspiciousness to the family. The custom of buying gold, silver, or utensils on this day originated from this tradition.
Customs and Rituals
Cleaning and Decoration: To welcome Goddess Lakshmi, homes and workplaces are cleaned and decorated, frequently with rangoli patterns and diyas (oil lamps).
Purchasing Metals: As a representation of wealth and good fortune, people customarily purchase gold, silver, or utensils on Dhanteras. This is thought to welcome prosperity and blessings into the home.
Offerings and Puja: In Hindu mythology, Lord Kubera, the wealth-treasurer, and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped during a puja in the evening. The gods receive offerings of fruits, flowers, and sweets.
Lighting: To fend off evil spirits and light the way for Goddess Lakshmi to enter the house, oil lamps, or diyas, are lit throughout.
Mantras and Prayers: During the puja, people repeat mantras and prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera in an effort to obtain their blessings for prosperity and well-being.
Community Celebrations: Communities celebrate Dhanteras with great enthusiasm, enhancing the joyous atmosphere with traditional music, dance performances, and cultural events.
Spiritual ImportanceDhanteras emphasises the spiritual prosperity and well-being of individuals and families in addition to denoting financial affluence. It also heralds the start of the holiday season, which culminates in Diwali, the festival of lights, which honours the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
The Dhanteras Legend
The prophecy stated that King Hima’s son would perish from a snake bite on the fourth day of his marriage.
Clever Wife’s Plan: His recently married wife made the fateful decision to stop her husband from passing away. At the door of the bedroom, she piled all of her gold and silver jewellery and currencies into a mound. She also started a lot of lamps and kept them on all night. She performed songs and told stories to keep her spouse awake.
Arrival of Yama: The prince was blinded and dazzled by the lights and jewellery when Yama, the god of death, showed up at his door in the shape of a serpent. He took a seat atop the pile of gold coins and spent the entire evening taking in the music and stories.
Escape from Death: Without taking the prince’s life, Yama silently left the palace in the morning. Thus, the prince’s wife’s cunning and love prevented her husband from falling to death.
Dhanteras celebration: Ever since, this day has been designated as Dhanteras. “Teras” is the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight; “Dhan” is wealth. On Dhanteras, it is customary to buy and give gold, silver, or brand-new utensils as gifts to bring prosperity and good fortune.
Importance in the Present
Hindu culture places a high value on riches and success, as the narrative of Dhanteras highlights. It draws attention to the custom of purchasing jewellery or cutlery on this day in order to bring luck and wealth into one’s life and residence. Dhanteras strengthens the belief in celebrating prosperity and the victory of light over darkness by heralding the start of the festive season preceding Diwali.
Dhanteras is a day to wish for prosperity, money, and happiness in Hindu tradition, and it has great cultural and religious significance. Devotees ask for the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera for a prosperous and auspicious new year by following rituals, doing puja, and buying metals.
