Dhanteras

Dhanteras
This year's Dhanteras

Tuesday, 29 Oct - 2024

Dhanteras festival in the Year 2021 will be Celebrated on Tuesday, 29th October, 2021

Dhanteras(धनतेरस) is the first day of the five-day Diwali Festival as celebrated in parts of north India. The festival, also known as "Dhantrayodashi" or "Dhanvantari Triodasi", falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik (October/November).

The Dhan in Dhanteras means wealth. On Dhanteras, the "Owl" form of Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Dhanteras holds special significance for the business community due to the customary purchases of precious metals on this day.

Legends of Dhanteras :

An interesting story about Dhanteras Festival says that, once, the sixteen year old son of King Hima was doomed to die of a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage as per his horoscope. So, on the fourth day of his marriage, his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid out gold ornaments and lots of silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs. 

When Yama, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by the dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of ornaments and coins and sat there the whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yama (Yamaraj), the god of Death.

According to another popular legend, when the Gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrita or nectar, Dhanvantari (the physician of the Gods and an incarnation of Vishnu) emerged carrying a jar of the elixir on the day of Dhanteras.

Preparations for Dhanteras Celebrations :

To mark the auspicious day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the night.

Traditions of Dhanteras Festival :

On Dhanteras Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that new “Dhan” or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck. "Laxmi Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny Diyas of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans", devotional songs in praise of Goddess Laxmi, are also sung.

Dhanteras Celebrations :

Dhanteras is celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm "Lakshmi Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. Bhajans, devotional songs in praise of Goddess Laxmi, are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggeryand offer as Naivedya.

In villages, cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In south India, cows are offered, particularly, a special veneration because they are thought of as incarnations of Goddess Lakshmi.

 
 
 
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UPCOMING EVENTS
  Durga Ashtami, 11 October 2024, Friday
  Vijaya Dashami, 12 October 2024, Saturday
  Sharad Purnima 2024, 16 October 2024, Wednesday
  Dhanteras, 29 October 2024, Tuesday
  Govardhan Puja Dates 2024, 2 November 2024, Saturday
  Bhai Dooj 2024, 3 November 2024, Sunday
 
Comments:
 
Posted Comments
 
"Very beautifully written ,has a lot information too..."
Posted By:  amit
 
"The Dhan in Dhanteras means wealth. On Dhanteras, the "Owl" form of Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Dhanteras holds special significance for the business community due to the customary purchases of precious metals on this day.HAPPY DHANTERAS"
Posted By:  NITIN GUPTA
 
 
 
Festival SMS

Memories of moments celebrated together
Moments that have been attached in my heart forever
Make me Miss You even more this Navratri.
Hope this Navratri brings in Good Fortune

 
 
 
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