Dhanteras 2024: Significance, Puja Procedure, And Auspicious Timings

Dhanteras 2024: Significance, Puja Procedure, and Auspicious Timings

Dhanteras, the first day of the Diwali festival, is one of the most significant days in the Hindu calendar. It marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festivities, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and well-being. In 2024, Dhanteras will be celebrated on Friday, November 1. This day is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and Ayurveda, and Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

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Dhanteras holds special importance for households and businesses alike, as people pray for financial stability, good health, and a prosperous future. This festival is also considered highly auspicious for purchasing gold, silver, utensils, and other valuable items, as it is believed to bring good fortune throughout the year.

In this detailed blog, we will explore the significance of Dhanteras, the Puja procedure, and the auspicious timings to ensure your celebrations are in line with the divine blessings of the day.

The Significance of Dhanteras

The word Dhanteras is derived from two Sanskrit words: Dhan, meaning wealth, and Teras, meaning the 13th day. It is observed on the Trayodashi Tithi (13th lunar day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. According to Hindu mythology, Dhanteras is associated with the following legends:

The Legend of Lord Dhanvantari

Lord Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is the divine physician who emerged during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). He appeared from the ocean holding the sacred Amrit Kalash (pot of nectar) that grants immortality, along with valuable medicinal herbs. Hence, Dhanteras is celebrated as a day to honor Lord Dhanvantari, with prayers for good health and the removal of diseases.

The Story of King Hima

According to another legend, King Hima’s 16-year-old son was destined to die from a snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage, according to astrological predictions. However, on the night of his predicted death, his newlywed wife placed all her gold and silver ornaments, along with numerous lamps, near the door and kept him awake by singing songs and narrating stories. When Yama, the god of death, arrived as a snake, the dazzling light of the jewelry and lamps blinded him, and he left without harming the boy. Since then, lighting lamps and placing valuables around the house on Dhanteras has been considered a way to ward off evil and negativity.

Auspicious Timings for Dhanteras 2024

To maximize the blessings and benefits of Dhanteras, it is important to observe the rituals during the most auspicious times, known as Shubh Muhurat. In 2024, the auspicious timings for Dhanteras Puja and purchases are as follows:

Dhanteras Tithi

Begins: 8:28 AM on Friday, November 1, 2024
Ends: 5:07 AM on Saturday, November 2, 2024

Pradosh Kaal (Evening Time for Puja)

Shubh Muhurat for Lakshmi Puja: 6:01 PM to 8:14 PM on November 1, 2024
Duration: 2 hours 13 minutes

The Pradosh Kaal (evening time) is considered highly auspicious for performing the Dhanteras Puja. This is the time when Goddess Lakshmi descends to bless her devotees with prosperity and success. It is recommended to conduct the Puja during this period to invite her divine blessings.

Puja Procedure for Dhanteras 2024

Performing the Dhanteras Puja with devotion and following the correct rituals can bring prosperity, good health, and happiness. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the Puja procedure:

Preparation for the Puja

Before starting the Puja, clean your house thoroughly, as cleanliness is considered essential to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. You can also decorate your home with fresh flowers, rangoli designs, and oil lamps to create a festive ambiance. Many people place mango leaves or torans (door hangings) at the entrance to symbolize prosperity and positive energy.

Setting up the Altar

Create a Puja altar in a clean, peaceful corner of your house. You will need the following items for the Puja:

A clean cloth (preferably red or yellow) to cover the altar
An idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and Lord Ganesha
Kalash (a brass or copper pot filled with water)
Fresh mango leaves to place on the Kalash
A small bowl of rice or akshat
Five diyas (oil lamps made of clay)
Flowers, especially marigolds
Incense sticks, camphor, and ghee for lighting the diyas
Gold, silver, or new utensils purchased for Dhanteras
Sweets, fruits, and other food items for offering

Sankalpa (Resolution)

Begin the Puja by sitting in front of the altar and taking a Sankalpa (resolution) to perform the Dhanteras rituals with sincerity. Close your eyes, chant “Om Ganeshaya Namah” to invoke the blessings of Lord Ganesha, and recite prayers to Lord Dhanvantari for good health and Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity.

Dhanvantari Puja

Since Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantari Jayanti, it is important to perform Puja in honor of Lord Dhanvantari for health and well-being. Offer flowers, incense, and light a diya in front of his idol. Recite the following mantra dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari:

“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye Amrita Kalasha Hastaya Sarva Bhaya Vinashaya Trailokya Nathaya Sri Mahavishnave Namah.”

This mantra is believed to invoke protection and good health.

Lakshmi Puja

Next, perform the Lakshmi Puja. Offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to the idol of Goddess Lakshmi. Light incense sticks and ghee diyas to purify the environment. Recite the Lakshmi Chalisa or any other hymn dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. You can also chant the following mantra to seek her blessings:

“Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseeda Praseeda Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmyai Namah.”

After offering prayers, take the gold, silver, or new utensils purchased for Dhanteras and place them in front of the altar as an offering to Goddess Lakshmi. These items symbolize wealth and abundance, and their presence during the Puja is considered auspicious.

Lighting Diyas

After completing the Puja, light oil lamps (diyas) and place them in various parts of your house, especially at the entrance. The light from the diyas is believed to ward off negative energies and invite Goddess Lakshmi into your home. On Dhanteras night, many families light 13 diyas in honor of Yama, the god of death, to protect their family from untimely death and negative influences.

Offer Prasad

Once the Puja is completed, distribute the Prasad (sweets and fruits offered to the deities) among family members and neighbors. Sharing the blessings of Dhanteras with others spreads the joy and positive energy of the day.

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What to Buy on Dhanteras 2024

Purchasing valuable items on Dhanteras is considered highly auspicious. Here are some of the common items people buy to bring prosperity and good luck:

Gold and Silver Jewelry: Precious metals like gold and silver are considered symbols of wealth. Buying them on Dhanteras is believed to ensure financial growth and stability.
New Utensils: Many households purchase utensils made of brass, copper, or silver. Using new utensils during Diwali Puja is thought to attract prosperity.
Electronic Items: In modern times, purchasing new electronics or appliances is also popular, as these are seen as a symbol of progress and success.
Broom (Jhadu): It is also considered auspicious to buy a new broom on Dhanteras, as it symbolizes the removal of negativity and financial troubles from the house.

Dhanteras Dos and Don’ts

To ensure the day of Dhanteras brings you maximum blessings, here are some Dos and Don’ts to follow:

Dos:

Clean your house thoroughly before Dhanteras to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
Light oil lamps at the entrance of your home to invite positive energy.
Make sure to perform Puja during the Pradosh Kaal for the best results.
Buy something valuable (gold, silver, utensils) to signify prosperity.
Recite mantras and perform the Puja with devotion and a positive mindset.

Don’ts:

Avoid lending or borrowing money on Dhanteras, as it is believed to lead to financial difficulties.
Do not argue or engage in negative conversations, as the day should be filled with positivity.
Avoid breaking anything, as it is considered inauspicious and could lead to financial losses.

Conclusion

Dhanteras 2024 is a day to celebrate wealth, prosperity, and good health, invoking the blessings of Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi. Following the auspicious timings, performing the Puja with devotion, and observing the traditional rituals will help you maximize the benefits of this significant day. May this Dhanteras bring you prosperity, success, and happiness throughout the year!

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