Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi
Dhanteras or
Dhantrayodashi falls on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight (Krishna
Paksha) of Ashwin month. Special Puja and rituals are observed on the day.
Dhanteras is the
day chosen by many people to make investments in gold or silver. A new utensil
or gold or silver is bought for the house on Dhanteras. Some people also make
it a point to make an investment on the day as it is believed that investments
made on this day will reap benefits.
This day is a
celebration aimed at increasing wealth and prosperity. Dhanteras engages themes
of cleansing, renewal, and the securing of auspiciousness.
For those who have
business, Dhanteras is the day when new account books are bought and kept ready
for the Lakshmi Puja on Diwali.
Diyas, clay Murtis
of Shri Ganesh and Mata Lakshmi, earthen katoris, toys and whole lot of other
items needed for Diwali are purchased on this day. Most people also wait for
the day to purchase and give away Diwali gifts.
Houses are decorated and special rangolis are drawn on the floor. Small foot prints are made in the houses. Some people also perform Lakshmi Puja on the day.
Interestingly, a
girl child born on Dhanteras day is considered as the arrival of Goddess
Lakshmi into the house and is considered lucky by certain communities. When
girls born on Dhanteras get married and leave for her husband’s home, she
leaves her footprints on a plate covered with Kumkum, this is to ensure that
Goddess Lakshmi does not leave the house.
The day is also
dedicated to God Dhanvantri, the Hindu God of medicine, as this day commemorates His creation and therefore
special Dhanvantari Puja is held on this day. It is also celebrated as National
Ayurveda Day. Lord Dhanvantari,
according to Hindu traditions, emerged during Samudra
Manthan, holding a Kalasha full of Amrit (an Ayurvedic herbal mix bestowing
immortality) in one hand and the sacred text about Ayurveda in the other hand.
He is considered to be the Vaidya of Gods.
Lighting of lamps
for Yama (God of death) called Yama Deepdan is observed in some places.
On this night, the
lights are put in the sky lamps (Akash kandil), at the
base of a Tulsi in the form of diyas and also in front of the doorways of
homes. This light is an offering to Yama, the Host of Death, to avert untimely death
during the time of the Diwali festival.
An ancient legend ascribes the occasion to an interesting story about the 16-year-old son of King Hima. His horoscope predicted his death by snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage.
On that particular day, his newly-wed wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid out all her ornaments and many gold and silver coins in a heap at the entrance of the sleeping chamber and lit many lamps. Then she narrated stories and sang songs to keep her husband from falling asleep; the next day, when Yama, the god of Death arrived at the prince's doorstep in the guise of a serpent, his eyes were dazzled and blinded by the brilliance of the lamps and the jewellery.
Yama could not enter the Prince's chamber, so he climbed on top of the heap of gold coins and sat there the entire night listening to the stories and songs.
In the morning, he silently
went away. Thus, the young prince was saved from the clutches of death by the
cleverness of his new bride, and the day came to be celebrated as Dhanteras.
