Dhanteras: The Festival of Prosperity and Wealth

Dhanteras, also known as Dhanatrayodashi, marks the first day of the five-day Diwali celebrations and is one of the most significant festivals in Hindu culture. The word “Dhanteras” is derived from two Sanskrit words—Dhan, meaning wealth, and Teras, referring to the 13th day of the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight) in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik. This festival is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda and health, and also to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and fortune. Celebrated with great enthusiasm across India, Dhanteras symbolizes the importance of wealth, health, and well-being in people’s lives.

Introduction

Overview of the Festival:

Dhanteras is celebrated two days before Diwali, the festival of lights, and marks the official beginning of the Diwali festivities. On this day, people pray for wealth, prosperity, and good health. The primary focus of the day is to welcome prosperity into the household by purchasing gold, silver, new utensils, or other valuable items. Many businesses also begin their new fiscal year on Dhanteras, seeing it as an auspicious time for fresh beginnings and investments.

While Dhanteras is closely associated with material wealth, the festival also emphasizes spiritual richness, good health, and the importance of balancing material success with a healthy and ethical life. The festival is a reminder that wealth should be earned and utilized in a way that brings good fortune, harmony, and happiness to the household.

Cultural or Religious Significance:

Dhanteras has deep religious and cultural significance, as it is believed to be the day when Lord Dhanvantari emerged from the ocean of milk during the Samudra Manthan (the great churning of the ocean) carrying a pot of amrit (the nectar of immortality) and the knowledge of Ayurveda. Therefore, Dhanteras is also considered a day to pray for good health and long life.

Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, is also worshipped on this day, as it is believed that she blesses her devotees with prosperity and abundance. Dhanteras marks the beginning of the Diwali festivities, and by purchasing gold, silver, or other valuables, devotees symbolically invite Goddess Lakshmi into their homes, ensuring a prosperous year ahead.

Historical Background:

The origins of Dhanteras can be traced back to several mythological stories. One popular legend speaks of the Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the ocean, where both the devas (gods) and asuras (demons) churned the ocean in search of amrit, the nectar of immortality. During this churning, Lord Dhanvantari emerged carrying the pot of nectar, which made Dhanteras a day associated with health and well-being.

Another popular story is that of King Hima’s son. According to a prophecy, King Hima’s son was fated to die from a snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage. However, his clever wife saved him by lighting lamps, decorating the entrance of the house with gold and silver, and singing songs to keep him awake. When Yama, the god of death, arrived in the form of a snake, he was blinded by the shining light and precious metals, and he left without harming the prince. Thus, Dhanteras is also linked with the story of protecting loved ones from untimely death and misfortune.

Festival Dates and Key Events

Important Dates:

In 2024, Dhanteras will be observed on Tuesday, 29th October. It falls on the 13th day (Trayodashi) of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik, marking the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival. Dhanteras will be followed by Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj.

Key Rituals and Ceremonies:

• Buying Gold, Silver, and Utensils: A central tradition of Dhanteras is purchasing precious metals like gold and silver or new utensils. It is believed that buying such items on this day invites prosperity and good fortune into the home.
• Lighting of Lamps (Diyas): In the evening, homes are illuminated with oil lamps or diyas, symbolizing the light that dispels darkness and brings happiness. These lamps are kept burning throughout the night, especially near the entrance of homes, as a way of welcoming Goddess Lakshmi.
• Lakshmi Puja: Many households perform Lakshmi Puja on Dhanteras. Devotees clean their homes, draw rangolis, and place footprints of Goddess Lakshmi from the entrance to the puja area, symbolizing her arrival. Lamps, incense, sweets, and flowers are offered to the goddess to invoke her blessings for wealth and prosperity.
• Dhanvantari Puja: Along with Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari is also worshipped on Dhanteras. Devotees offer prayers for good health and protection from diseases, as Lord Dhanvantari is considered the divine healer and the god of Ayurveda.

Muhurat of Puja or Timing of Pooja:

The Dhanteras puja is usually performed during the Pradosh Kaal, which is two hours after sunset. The auspicious time for Lakshmi Puja on Dhanteras is determined based on local calendars, with the Pradosh Kaal considered highly auspicious. During this time, people light diyas and offer prayers to invite Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari into their homes.

Preparations for the Festival

Home and Personal Preparations:

In preparation for Dhanteras, homes are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with fresh flowers, rangolis, and lights. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi only visits clean, well-kept homes, so the act of cleaning is both symbolic and spiritual. Families also draw footprints of Lakshmi using rice flour or vermilion powder, starting from the entrance to the house, to invite the goddess inside.

People also prepare by purchasing gold, silver, or new kitchen utensils, as these are considered auspicious. Women often buy new clothes and jewelry as a part of the Dhanteras celebrations. In business families, accounts are settled, and new ledgers are opened, symbolizing the start of a new financial year.

Significance of Items or Rituals During Preparation:

The items used in Dhanteras rituals, such as gold, silver, and new utensils, symbolize prosperity and abundance. The lighting of lamps represents the victory of light over darkness, good over evil. Drawing footprints of Goddess Lakshmi symbolizes her entry into the house and the household’s good fortune for the upcoming year. Cleaning the home signifies the removal of negativity, making space for positive energy and blessings.

How to Perform Dhanteras Puja

Puja Setup:

• Required Items: For the Dhanteras puja, items like gold, silver, new utensils, fresh flowers, incense sticks, oil lamps (diyas), turmeric, kumkum, rice, sweets, and holy water are needed.
• Setting the Altar: Arrange these items in front of an idol or image of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari. The altar should be decorated with flowers and rangoli, and oil lamps should be placed around the puja area.

Steps to Perform Dhanteras Puja:

1. Cleanse the Space: Begin by thoroughly cleaning the house and the area where the puja will be conducted. Sprinkle holy water or Ganga Jal to purify the space.
2. Arrange the Offerings: Place gold, silver, or new utensils on the altar along with sweets, fruits, flowers, and oil lamps. The offerings are meant to please the goddess and invoke her blessings.
3. Perform the Lakshmi Puja: Offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi by chanting specific mantras and shlokas dedicated to her. Light the oil lamps, burn incense, and offer flowers, sweets, and fruits as a gesture of devotion.
4. Dhanvantari Puja: Offer prayers to Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and medicine, by chanting mantras and seeking his blessings for good health and long life.
5. Aarti: Conclude the puja with the aarti, a ritual where devotees sing hymns and offer light by rotating the oil lamp in front of the idols. The aarti symbolizes offering light to the divine and seeking blessings for prosperity and health.
6. Distribute Prasad: After the aarti, distribute the prasad (blessed food) among family members and guests, symbolizing the sharing of divine blessings.

Significance of Rituals and Traditions

Meaning of the Dhanteras Puja:

The rituals of Dhanteras are deeply symbolic. Purchasing gold, silver, or new utensils is seen as a way to invite wealth and prosperity into the home. Lighting diyas is a tradition that symbolizes driving away darkness, both literally and metaphorically. It represents a new beginning, where light and positivity replace ignorance and negativity.

Symbolism and Virtue:

Dhanteras is a festival that emphasizes the importance of both material wealth and spiritual well-being. It teaches that while wealth is necessary for a comfortable life, it should be earned ethically and used for the welfare of all. The festival also reminds people of the value of health, as seen through the worship of Lord Dhanvantari, the healer and god of medicine.

Do’s and Don’ts on Dhanteras

Key Practices to Follow:

• Purchase Gold, Silver, or Utensils: Buy new items such as gold, silver, or utensils to symbolize prosperity and wealth. These purchases are considered auspicious on Dhanteras.
• Light Oil Lamps: Light diyas in the evening to bring positive energy and dispel darkness, inviting good fortune into the home.
• Clean the House Thoroughly: Cleaning the home is essential as it invites Goddess Lakshmi and removes negative energy from the surroundings.

Practices to Avoid:

• Avoid Spending on Non-Essential Items: On Dhanteras, it is recommended to invest in valuable and meaningful items rather than waste money on frivolous purchases.
• Do Not Engage in Negative Behaviors: Negative thoughts or actions, such as anger, greed, or dishonesty, should be avoided on Dhanteras as they contradict the essence of the festival, which is about prosperity, purity, and health.

Conclusion

Dhanteras is a festival that beautifully balances the pursuit of material wealth with the importance of health and spirituality. By celebrating Dhanteras, people invite prosperity, abundance, and well-being into their lives while acknowledging the significance of good health and ethical living. Through rituals such as the lighting of lamps, the purchase of valuable items, and the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari, devotees seek blessings for a prosperous, healthy, and harmonious life.

The festival teaches that while wealth is essential, it must be coupled with righteousness and compassion. As the first day of the grand Diwali celebrations, Dhanteras sets the tone for a joyous, prosperous, and blessed festive season.