Dhanteras is the second day of the six-day Diwali festival as celebrated in India. The festival, known as"Dhanatrayodashi" or "Dhanvantari Trayodashi".The word Dhan means wealth and Teras means 13th day as per Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu calender month of Ashwin
On Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Dhanteras holds special significance for the business community due to the customary purchases of precious metals on this day.
Lord Kubera, the God of assets and wealth is also worshiped on this day.
On the day of Dhanteras, business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the night.
Another legend says, in the cosmic battle between the gods and the demons when both churned the ocean for amrit' or divine nectar, Dhanavantri - the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu - emerged carrying a pot of the elixir. So, according to this mythological tale, the word Dhanteras comes from the name Dhanavantri, the divine doctor.
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