India — Festivals

May Dhanteras Light Up New Dreams and Fresh Hopes

Dhanteras also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanwantri Jayanti is revered by Hindus across the world as a festival of health, wealth, and prosperity. It also marks the beginning of five day festivities of Diwali, which is celebrated to honour the home coming of lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

The Hindu festival falls on the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) Trayodashi (thirteenth day after full moon), in the month of Kartik according to the traditional Hindu calendar. This year Dhanteras falls on October 17, 2017.

Dhanteras — October 17, 2017

[Graphic Design: GoldenTwine Graphic]

Legend, History and Significance

According to the legend, during the cosmic battle Samudra Manthan (churning of sea), Gods and Demons both churned the ocean (Kshira Sagar) to gain the divine Amrit (elixir for immortality).

Goddess Lakshmi emerged out of the ocean with a pot of gold and wealth on this day after years of churning. It signifies that one can get Lakshmi or wealth only after immense hard work.

Dhanteras also marks the birth day of Dhanwantri, the physician of Gods and the master teacher of all physicians. Dhanwantri too emerged from the ocean during the Manthan carrying Amrit (elixir for immortality).

Thus, Dhanteras or Dhanwantri Trayodoshi is a festivity of health and wealth, and Hindu devotees mark the auspicious day with puja of goddess Lakshmi and lord Kubera (god of wealth) to usher good luck and fortune in their life.

However, Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya after two days of Dhantrayodashi is considered more significant.

Yamadeep is another ritual on the same Trayodashi Tithi when the lamp for the god of death is lit outside home to ward off any untimely death of any family members.

Dhanwantri, the physician of Gods
Image Credit: Wikipedia

Celebrations

There is a custom of buying new Dhan (wealth) in the form of gold and silver ornaments; and new utensils in order to bring luck and prosperity in the house. People clean their houses and decorate it. They also make tiny footprints with rice flour at the entrance of the house and near the temple. These tiny footprints signify the presence of goddess Lakshmi. People also deck up the entrance with flowers, colours, rangolis and light up diyas all around the place to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and Kuber followed by their puja in the evening.

Devotees also light Yamadeep or lamps for Yamraj (god of death) outside their homes, to ward off ill health and avoid untimely death in the family.

Traders and businessmen decorate their offices and pray for prosperity.

Rangolis and light up Diyas

GoldenTwine Informatics wishes you
Happy and Prosperous Dhanteras

May Goddess Lakshmi bless you with health, wealth and prosperity on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras.

[Graphic Design: GoldenTwine Graphic]