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Why is Dhanteras Celebrated?
Have you heard about why Dhanteras is celebrated? The answer for many might be yes, which is fair. If you do not know the answer to this then today’s article is going to be very informative for you. Two days prior to Diwali, they celebrate the Dhanteras celebration.
This festival is mainly celebrated by the people of Hindu religion in India. This festival is linked to Diwali and the festival of Dhanteras is considered to be the beginning of Diwali. On the day of Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari and Lord Kuber are worshipped.
This festival is associated with wealth and purchase of wealth (property) on this day is considered auspicious. The story of Lord Dhanvantari is associated with the celebration of this festival and Kuber is also worshiped on this day because according to mythology, Lord Kuber is considered the treasurer of Goddess Lakshmi.
Besides, Goddess Lakshmi is also worshiped on this day. To get complete information about why Dhanteras is celebrated in this article, you will have to read it completely. Then without any delay let us start why we celebrate Dhanteras.
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What Is Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi?
Dhanteras or it is also called Dhanteras, it is known as Dhanatrayodashi or Dhantrayodashi. Every year Dhanteras is celebrated on Trayodashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. This Dhantrayodashi is the first day from which Diwali starts in India.
Dhanteras is a major festival celebrated by the followers of Hindu religion and its importance increases even more because this festival is linked to Diwali and is celebrated two days before Diwali.
Dhanteras festival is seen with great pomp and show in India. Diwali is considered to be the biggest festival of Hindu religion and the festival of Diwali starts from Dhanteras.
From this day, lighting of lamps in homes and temples is started, which continue till the Diwali festival is completely over. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari, Kuber and Mother Lakshmi, who are considered in Hindu religion, are worshipped. Lighting lamps and purchasing new items on this day is considered extremely auspicious.
| Name | Dhanteras |
| Other Names | Dhantrayodashi |
| Date | Amanta (Sister) / Purnimanta (Sister), Paksha, Date |
| Purpose | Religious Devotion, Celebration, Entertainment |
| Follower | Hindu |
| Celebrating | Health, Wealth And Prosperity |
| Frequency | Annually |
What Should Be Bought On Dhanteras?
Dhanteras, the first day of the five-day celebration, marks the start of Diwali. Gold and other wealth are considered auspicious on this day. Across the country, people will invest or buy gold, silver items, and other forms of wealth, including property, automobiles, and other financial assets.
On the day of Dhanteras, utensils made of brass, silver and gold are considered auspicious. However, you should avoid purchasing plastic and glass, as it is said to bring bad luck. Sharp tools like knives, scissors and other cutting instruments should also be avoided on this day.
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Why Do We Celebrate Dhanteras?
Hindu mythology offers numerous explanations and tales for the celebration of Dhanteras, some of which are included here.
Story of Yamraj in the Form of Snake
Once the horoscope of a king’s son was seen, in which it was written that he would die of snakebite on the fourth day after his marriage.
To solve this problem, the king’s daughter-in-law kept all her ornaments and jewelery at the door before sleeping, after which Yamraj, who had come in the form of a snake, was shocked to see the gold and ornaments.
Not only this, so that the snake could not enter inside the house, the king’s daughter-in-law sang songs in a melodious voice the whole night, which distracted the snake and it forgot to bite and then went back.
Story of Samudra Manthan
It is believed that on the Trayodashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, during the churning of the ocean, Lord Dhanvantari and Mother Lakshmi appeared from the ocean. This festival was named Dhanteras after the name of Lord Dhanvantari.
When Lord Dhanvantari appeared, he was holding a pot and there was nectar in that pot. Mother Lakshmi ji had a whip in her hand. For this reason, people celebrate the Dhanteras holiday.
Since Lord Dhanvantari had a vessel (Kalash) in his hand, buying utensils on this day is considered auspicious. Dhanteras festival is also known as ‘Dhanatrayodashi’. In Jainism, Dhanteras is also called ‘Dhyan Teras’ or ‘Dhanya Teras’.
It is believed that Lord Mahavir of Jainism had gone to Yoga Nirodh to go into the third and fourth meditation and while meditating, he attained Nirvana while doing yoga on the day of Diwali that is why in Jainism this day is named after Blessed Teras. Is prevalent since.
When is Dhanteras Celebrated?
The festival of Dhanteras is celebrated every year on the Trayodashi day of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month according to the Hindi calendar. This day is said to be two days before Diwali.
On the day of Trayodashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, Lord Dhanvantari appeared with a pot in his hand during the churning of the ocean and it is believed that on this day Goddess Lakshmi also appeared from the ocean.
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When is The Festival of Dhanteras in the Year 2023?
Dhanteras in the year 2023 is on 10th November 2023.
Who is Worshiped on Dhanteras?
According to the scriptures, the festival of Dhanteras is a day of prayer to the god of death Yamraj to be free from the fear of untimely death. Apart from this, the tradition of worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber on this day has been going on since ancient times.
Dhanteras Puja Method
On the day of Dhanteras, worshiping in the evening is more significant. On the day of Dhanteras, the idol of Lord Dhanvantari and Lord Kuber should be installed in the north direction in the place of worship. An option to install the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha is also included. It is believed that by lighting a lamp towards the south on this day, there is no fear of untimely death.
It is believed that Lord Dhanvantari likes yellow things and Kuber likes white, that is why yellow sweets should be offered to Lord Dhanvantari and white sweets should be offered to Lord Kuber. It is said that using rice, pulses, roli, sandalwood, incense and fruits and flowers in worship is beneficial. On the day of Dhanteras, Yamraj should also be worshiped with reverence and a lamp should also be lit in his name.
On Dhanteras, what should you do and shouldn’t you do?
Let us now know about some things that you should do on this Dhanteras and which things you should stay away from.
| What To Do On Dhanteras | What Not To Do On Dhanteras |
| Clean The House Before This Festival | Never Eat Non-Vegetarian Food. |
| Decorate Your House Beautifully | Stay Away From Fraud As Much As Possible. |
| Offer Lotus Flower | Avoid Negative Energy |
| Bring Silver Items As It Brings Prosperity To The House | Don’t Disrespect Elders |
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Importance of Dhanteras
In Hindu religion, worship and buying new things on this day is considered very important. It’s said that purchasing a new item on this day adds thirteen times to its value. Buying utensils on this day has great significance because when Lord Dhanvantari appeared, he had a vessel in the form of Kalash in his hand.
Lord Dhanvantari likes yellow color and copper metal, hence it is important to buy copper or silver utensils on this day.
On this day, there is also importance of paying obeisance to Yamraj and lighting a lamp in his name. It is believed that by doing this, untimely death never enters the house and the flame of the lamp in the house always remains lit. On this day, traders keep Kaundri in their bags because it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi also appeared on the day of Dhanteras and at that time she had Kaundri in her hands.
It is believed that keeping Kaundri in Galla will never cause loss in business.
Purpose of Celebrating Dhanteras
In Ayurveda the word Dhan means our health. But those who do not have proper knowledge about Ayurveda. There is no information about his principles. They take money as currency. And consider money as currency.
Therefore, due to their ignorance, they end up ruining the meaning. The area where more funding for health care should be allocated. And there should be improvement in this, nowadays people are engaged in measures to increase economic wealth.
Eating with gold and silver utensils enhances wealth and well-being, according to Ayurveda. But nowadays people have understood that this leads to increase in economic wealth. And with this understanding, nowadays people buy jewelery and utensils made of gold and silver.
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How Is Dhanteras Celebrated?
People purchase brand-new kitchenware for their homes on the day of Dhanteras. There is also a custom of buying some big items on this day that is why many people buy gold or silver items on this day.
Many purchase an expensive item, such as a car. It is also considered auspicious to purchase Diwali worship materials like lamps, idols of Lakshmi-Ganesh, brooms, coconuts, clothes etc. on the day of Dhanteras.
On this day in the evening, Lord Dhanvantari, Kuber, Yamraj, Lakshmi-Ganesh are worshiped with rituals in all the houses and sweets and fruits and flowers are offered to everyone.
In honor of all the gods and goddesses, lamps are lit. On this day, wealth and new material is also worshiped in homes. Dhanteras is considered the beginning of Diwali that is why many people burn firecrackers on this day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Why is Dhanteras Celebrated?
Why Do People Buy Gold On Dhanteras?
Hindus believe that along with Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, also known as the Goddess of Wealth, comes to bring wealth to the home, increase income opportunities, business prospects as well as prosperity. Gold and other precious metals are considered auspicious and harbingers of good fortune and prosperity.
Can We Eat Non-Veg On Dhanteras?
Diwali is celebrated two days after Dhantrayodashi. According to our scriptures, one should not eat non-veg or non-vegetarian food on the day of Dhanteras.
How Many Lamps Should We Light On Dhanteras?
On Dhanteras, in the presence of the entire family, 13 old or used earthen lamps are lit and placed near the dustbin outside the house facing south to ward off death. The first lamp protects the family from untimely death.
On Dhanteras Day, what is considered auspicious to buy?
Buying gold, silver, brass items and brooms on the day of Dhanteras is considered auspicious.
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What Should Not Be Bought On Dhanteras?
On the day of Dhanteras, one should not buy iron, aluminium, steel, plastic, glass, black colored clothes, oil or ghee, and ceramic utensils.
Who Is Worshiped On The Day Of Dhanteras?
On Dhanteras Day, Lord Dhanvantari is also worshipped.
What Did You Learn Today?
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