Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival in India. The name “Dhan” means “Wealth” and “Teras” means “13th Lunar day of the Krishna Paksha” falls in the Hindu month of Kartik. This festival is a celebration of wealth, prosperity and well-being. On this day, people worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi seeking blessings for health, prosperity and protection from negative energies. Lord Kuber is also worshipped on this day and the best direction for lighting Dhanteras diya should be Southwest and is for God Yama.
It is not just for financial riches but also for spiritual richness and family connection. On that day, everyone in the family arrives at the ancestral house and the first Diwali diya is lit.
History of Dhanteras Puja
According to Hindu Mythology, it is believed that many precious items came from the Ocean during Samudra Manthan. Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician emerged from the ocean with a pot of Amrit. As he is the god of health and Ayurveda, his emergence symbolizes health and longevity. It is a day to worship him for physical and mental well-being.
An essential component of the ceremony is lighting diyas, which are connected to the tale of King Hima’s son, who died on the fourth day of his marriage. His wife keeps a vigilant watch and places her gold ornaments and lamps around him to ward off Lord Yama to save his life. The story led to the custom of lighting oil lamps and placing them at house entrances, symbolizing protection against negativity.
What To Buy On Dhanteras
Celebrate the Dhanteras and invite peace, prosperity and good health into your life. Here is the list of people should buy on Dhanteras:
- Purchasing popular metals like gold and silver is a popular tradition to attract wealth and prosperity.
- In some traditions, buying utensils, especially for the kitchen is considered auspicious and a buying new broom symbolizes sweeping away negativity and poverty from the house.
- Modern households also buy electronics and gadgets, hoping for luck and success in their careers and personal lives.
Importance and Benefits of Dhanteras Puja
Dhanteras puja is important because it symbolizes the beginning of Diwali and it is a time to honor Goddess Laxmi and Lord Dhanvantri to welcome prosperity and health into one’s life.
- Dhanteras is the day to honor wealth and prosperity by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantri. It is also a day to worship Lord Kuber, the treasure of wealth.
- It is a day to honor health by observing Lord Dhanvantri Jayanti.
- It also emphasizes family unity.
- It is an auspicious day to purchase new valuable items to attract prosperity and well-being for the upcoming year.
- It is a day to cleanse and purify your home, mind and soul.
