Happy Dhanteras

Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali, celebrating health, wealth, and prosperity through tradition and modern expression.

Dhanteras is a Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali celebrations. It is considered an auspicious day for wealth, prosperity, and well-being. Here's a detailed overview:

🪔 What is Dhanteras?

• Date: It falls on the 13th lunar day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu month of Ashwin (usually in October or November).

• In 2025, Dhanteras will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 22.

💰 Significance of Dhanteras

1. Dhanteras is derived from two Sanskrit words:

   • “Dhan” = wealth

   • “Teras” = thirteenth day

2. On this day, people worship Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine and an avatar of Lord Vishnu, who emerged from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) with the pot of amrit (nectar).

3. It is also associated with Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, as people seek her blessings for prosperity.

🛍️ Traditions and Celebrations

• Buying Gold, Silver, or Utensils: It is considered highly auspicious to purchase metal items (especially gold, silver, or brass) on Dhanteras, symbolizing the arrival of prosperity.

• Dhanvantari Puja: Ayurveda practitioners and people in the medical field especially offer prayers to Lord Dhanvantari for health and healing.

• Lakshmi Puja: In the evening, homes are cleaned and lit with diyas (oil lamps) to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.

• Lighting Lamps: People light 13 diyas in the evening to drive away evil spirits and negative energies.

• Yamadeep Daan: A special lamp is lit for Lord Yama, the god of death, to seek protection from untimely death and misfortune.

🌟 Interesting Facts

• Dhanteras is also celebrated as National Ayurveda Day in India.

• In some regions, businessmen open new account books (called Chopda Puja) for the new financial year.

🕉️ History and Mythology of Dhanteras

The history of Dhanteras is rooted in Hindu mythology, with a few popular legends that explain why this day is celebrated with such reverence.

1. 🧴 Legend of Lord Dhanvantari

• The most widely accepted story is from the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), a divine event where Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) churned the ocean to obtain Amrit (nectar of immortality).

• On the 13th day of Krishna Paksha, Lord Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, emerged from the ocean holding a kalash (pot) of Amrit in one hand and sacred Ayurvedic texts in the other.

• He is regarded as the God of Ayurveda and health, and hence, Dhanteras is celebrated in his honor to promote well-being and longevity.

2. 💰 Legend of Goddess Lakshmi

• Dhanteras also marks the beginning of the Lakshmi Puja during the Diwali festival.

• It is believed that on this day, Goddess Lakshmi came out of the ocean during Samudra Manthan, along with Dhanvantari.

• Thus, devotees worship her to gain wealth, fortune, and prosperity.

3. 🪔 Legend of King Hima’s Son (Yamadeep Daan)

• According to another tale, King Hima’s 16-year-old son was predicted to die on the fourth day of his marriage due to a snake bite.

• On that day, his wife kept him awake all night, placed gold and silver coins and many lamps at the door, and sang songs to keep him alert.

• When Yama (god of death) came in the form of a serpent, the intense light of the lamps and the dazzling metals blinded him, so he left without harming the prince.

• This is why people light Yamadeep (a lamp for Yama) outside the home on Dhanteras night to ward off evil and untimely death.

4. 🏺 Cultural Practices in History

• Historically, Dhanteras was a harvest and trade festival as well, when farmers and merchants prayed for a prosperous year ahead.

• It marked the beginning of the financial year in many regions, especially among trading communities like Gujaratis and Marwaris, who still perform Chopda Pujan (bookkeeping worship) on this day.

📜 Summary

Element	Significance
Lord Dhanvantari	God of medicine and health, emerged with Amrit
Goddess Lakshmi	Goddess of wealth, emerged during Samudra Manthan
Yamadeep Legend	Lighting lamps to ward off untimely death
Cultural Practice	Start of new financial year and worship of wealth

The celebration of Dhanteras varies across regions of India, shaped by local traditions, occupations, and beliefs. Over time, modern lifestyles, technology, and consumer culture have also changed how people observe this festival.

🪔 How Dhanteras Is Celebrated Across Different Parts of India

🧭 1. North India (e.g., Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana)

• Key Traditions:

  • Homes are cleaned thoroughly and decorated with rangoli, diyas, and flowers.

  • Families buy gold, silver, or brass utensils as it is believed to bring luck and prosperity.

  • Evening Lakshmi and Dhanvantari puja is performed, and diyas are lit throughout the house.

  • Some people light a "Yamadeep" (a diya for Lord Yama) outside the house overnight.

🌾 2. Western India (e.g., Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan)

• Gujarat:

  • Dhanteras marks the start of the Diwali festival and also the Gujarati New Year week.

  • Business communities perform Chopda Puja (worship of account books), seeking blessings for a prosperous year.

  • New ledger books are opened and dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.

• Rajasthan & Maharashtra:

  • Buying precious metals or new clothes is common.

  • People decorate their homes with bandhanwars (torans) and traditional motifs.

🌾 3. Eastern India (e.g., West Bengal, Odisha, Assam)

• Dhanteras is not widely celebrated as a standalone festival.

• In Bengal, people focus more on Kali Puja, which aligns with Diwali.

• However, urban families have started adopting Dhanteras traditions like buying gold or electronics.

🌾 4. South India (e.g., Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala)

• Traditionally, Dhanteras is not as prominent in South India.

• The focus here is more on Naraka Chaturdashi and Diwali proper.

• However, due to modern influence and cultural blending, some urban families now:

  • Buy gold or kitchenware.

  • Perform Lakshmi puja in the evening.

🔄 How Dhanteras Has Evolved in Modern Times

🛍️ 1. Consumerism & Online Shopping

• What used to be a spiritual and symbolic purchase has now become a shopping event.

• E-commerce platforms run “Dhanteras Sales”, with offers on electronics, appliances, gold coins, and more.

• People now buy not just gold or silver, but also:

  • Smartphones

  • Washing machines

  • Cars

  • Stocks or mutual funds

📱 2. Digital Puja & Virtual Celebrations

• Many families now use online pandits or watch live-streamed pujas.

• Digital Lakshmi puja kits and e-diya lighting apps are becoming common, especially among the younger crowd and NRIs.

🛒 3. Shift from Tradition to Trend

• Traditional values still hold, but gifting and self-purchasing have increased.

• Corporate gifting and branded hampers have become common in urban areas.

• Some people prefer to invest in digital gold or cryptocurrency as a modern take on the gold-buying tradition.

💼 4. Professional & Wellness Focus

• With growing awareness of Ayurveda, many now perform Dhanvantari Puja for health.

• Ayurveda clinics, wellness centers, and even hospitals observe Ayurveda Day on Dhanteras.

🌟 In Summary

Aspect	Traditional Dhanteras	Modern Dhanteras
Purchases	Gold, silver, utensils	Gadgets, electronics, cars
Worship	Dhanvantari & Lakshmi Puja	Same, but also virtual
Focus	Health, wealth, prosperity	Shopping, investment, lifestyle
Celebration Style	Family & spiritual	Commercial & tech-savvy

Dhanteras is much more than just a day for shopping—it is a celebration of health, wealth, and spiritual prosperity. Rooted in rich mythology and tradition, it marks the beginning of Diwali and emphasizes the importance of well-being (Dhanvantari) and abundance (Lakshmi) in our lives.

While the core values remain unchanged, modern times have seen the festival evolve with changing lifestyles. Today, people blend tradition with technology, opting for both rituals and retail, and celebrating Dhanteras in ways that reflect personal beliefs and contemporary culture.

Whether through lighting diyas, buying symbolic items, or simply expressing gratitude for life’s blessings, Dhanteras serves as a beautiful reminder to honor what we have and hope for a brighter, healthier, and more prosperous future.

HAPPY DHANTERAS TO ALL REGAL READERS!!!!!!