HAPPY DHANTERAS 2015 !!!

The festival of Dhanteras falls in the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov) on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight. This auspicious day is celebrated two days before the festival of lights, Diwali.

How to Celebrate Dhanteras:

On Dhanteras, Lakshmi - the Goddess of wealth - is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. It is also the day for celebrating wealth, as the word 'Dhan' literally means wealth and 'Tera' comes from the date 13th.

In the evening, the lamp is lit and Dhan-Lakshmi is welcomed into the house. Alpana or Rangoli designs are drawn on pathways including the goddess' footprints to mark the arrival of Lakshmi. Aartis or devotional hymns are sung eulogizingGoddess Lakshmi and sweets and fruits are offered to her.

People flock to the jewelers and buy gold or silver jewelry or utensils to venerate the occasion of Dhanteras.

Many wear new clothes and wear jewelry as they light the first lamp of Diwali while some engage in a game of gambling.

Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day festival, 'Diwali.' As 'Diwali' falls on 11 November this year, Dhanteras will be celebrated on 9 November.

This is the Hindu festival which is seen as the lucky day to purchase new things, especially gold. On Dhanteras, goddess Lakshmi is worshipped to gain prosperity and well being. It holds great significance mostly in the business community.

Also, Kubera, the god of assets and wealth is worshipped on this day.

Dhanteras falls on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight. However, the meaning of this festival is hidden in its name itself. 'Dhan' means wealth and 'Tera' signifies the thirteenth day.

On Dhanteras, Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that new 'Dhan' or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck.

'Lakshmi Puja' is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas (earthen lamps) are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.

Dhanteras is also known as 'Dhantrayodashi,' and takes place two days before Diwali, in honour of Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu.

History and Legends of Dhanteras

There is an interesting story behind celebrating the Dhanteras festival. It is considered that, once upon a time, King Hima's sixteen year old son was destined to pass away just by the snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. His wife was very clever and she did not allow her husband to sleep on 4th day of the marriage. She arranges some gold ornaments as well as a lot of silver coins and made a large heap at the doorway of her husband. She also made light with the help of numerous lamps all around the place of his husband.

When the God of death, (Yama), came to his husband in the appearance of a snake, his eyes got sightless by the dazzling light of the lamps, silver coins and gold ornaments. So the lord Yama could not get entered into his chamber. Then he tried to ascend on top of the heap and started to listen the harmonious songs of his wife. Early in the morning, he had to gone away without taking her husband. Therefore the very young and newly married wife had saved her husband life from the death. That's why, the Dhanteras is also known as the Yamadeepdaan. Diyas or candles are kept blazing during the whole night in respect to the God Yama.

Another myth is, a long ago Gods and demons stirred the ocean to get Amrita or nectar, after many days the Lord Vishnu had came out on the day of Dhanteras having a jar of the elixir.

Special Preparations for Dhanteras

Everybody waits for this day with lots of excitement to come soon as this is very lucky day for the houses and business premises. They renovate and decorate their homes or business premises with new paints, lights, Diyas, candle, flowers and rangoli. Entrance gate gets decorated with the colorful and traditional designs of rangoli in order to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity). They stick ready-made small footprints of the Lakshmi going into their home or they mix rice flour into vermilion powder and draw small footprints all over the houses.

Traditions and Customs of Dhanteras

It is a great festival for Hindus as they purchase gold or silver coins, jewelry, utensils and other new things. It is considered that bringing new things to home is a sign of good luck. Lakshmi Puja is held in the evening of the day with the tiny Diyas of clay, Bhajan, and devotional songs to respect Goddess Lakshmi. The light of tiny Diyas denotes that the shadow of evil spirits will drive away from home.

Celebrations of Dhanteras

The Dhanteras is celebrated by the Hindu people with the big passion and enthusiasm. They do Lakshmi Puja by offering her ghee Diyas, Bhajans, devotional songs, Naivedya of traditional sweets, roli and arti. People take bath early in the morning, even some people keep fast for full day. They break their fast after sunset with the puja of Goddess Lakshmi, and then they eat delicious sweetmeats, kheer, puri and sabji. Many people inaugurate their new business premises, launch new projects, buy car, jewelleries, saree, and many more things on this auspicious day.

Dhanteras Gifts

Dhanteras comes every year with the lots of happiness and brings new hopes in our life. The word Diwali' means rows of lights which bring real light in the life of every people. It is a wonderful time for family gatherings, puja, celebration, sharing gifts and have dinner together. People in Benares purchase brass vessel as a gift for giving a gorgeous look to their dining table. Brass Kalash, Omkara Idol, Idol of Lakshmi and Ganesha, sweet hamper, ready-made rangoli, foot prints of Lakshmi, door hangings and etc are other things to purchase.

Significance of Dhanteras

People consider themselves so lucky by bringing new gifts, utensils, coins, jewellery and other things at home on the day of Dhanteras. It is considered that Goddess Lakshmi is coming home in the form of new things at this day. Puja of the Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesh is performed in the evening according to the timings of shubh muhurta. The seven cereals are worshipped at this day including barely, wheat, Urad, gram, Moong and Masoor.

Lord Dhanwantri, known as the doctor of all the Gods, was born on the day of Dhanteras or Dhan Trayodashi. That's why any new discovery of medical science field starts at this day. People buy silver coins (having pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh) at this day.

Story of Dhanteras

Once, there was a king who was ruling his kingdom very happily. After several years he was adorned with the birth of a baby boy in his house. He was said by the astrologer that his son will die 4 days after the marriage. Then the king had started preventing his son from the girls. He had hidden his son on the place where no lady was there. But once, prince met a princess while passing his way. They had decided for getting married.

According to the prediction, after 4 days of marriage the Yamdoot came there to take the life of prince. His wife started weeping for his husband then Yamdoot asked to the Yamraj that please tell her a way to save his husband life. Yamraj said that, the one who will worship him in the night of Trayodashi in the Kartik Krishna Paksha with the lamps facing to the south, has no fear of sudden death. That's why people lit lamps outside their houses facing towards south on the day of Dhanteras.