Dhanteras- The first day of Diwali celebrations

Dhanteras marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations that last for five days. Dhanteras is named after ‘dhan’ which means wealth and ‘teras’ which means thirteenth – so it is a festival that is observed on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha of the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November). Dhanteras is also known as ‘Dhantrayodashi’ and ‘Dhanvantari Trayodashi’.

Date and Timing for Dhanteras Puja

Dhanteras 2016 is to be celebrated on October 28, 2016, a Friday.

Dhanteras Puja Muhurta 2016

Puja will start at 7:11 pm to 8:25 pm in the evening. The whole duration of puja will be = 1 Hour and 14 Mins.

How Dhanteras is celebrated

People repair their home, white washing, and thorough cleaning, decorate house interiorly and exteriorly, make Rangolis, light clay diyas and many more traditions to follow. They stick readymade footprints of the Goddess Lakshmi to welcome wealth and prosperity to their home. After sunset, people pray to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh for prosperity and wisdom. They offer roses, marigold garlands, sweets, ghee diyas, dhoop deep, agarbatti, camphor among other things. People chant mantras, bhakti songs and arti for Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh. People wear new clothes and jewellery and play the game of gambling.

Importance of Dhanteras

Bringing new things home is considered a very auspicious event at the Dhanteras. People perform Lakshmi puja during the subh muhurta according to the calendar. At some places seven cereals (wheat, gram, barley, Urad, Moong, Masoor) are worshipped while performing puja. Golden flower and sweets are offered during puja to the Mata Lakshmi. This festival plays a great role in the life of every people. It brings a lot happiness, wealth, prosperity, wisdom and good destiny for all. People clean up everything at this day in order to remove all the bad energy and idleness from their surroundings. People take bath and wear new clothes in order to clean up their body, mind and soul before performing puja. As this day is the birth day Dev Dhanwantri, all the new innovations related to medical science are established at this day.

Legend and Stories of Dhanteras

The legend behind celebrating the Dhanteras is the story of 16 years old son of the King Hima. He was forecasted his death by the snake biting at the 4th day of his marriage. His wife was very clever and searched the way to save the life of her husband. She had not allowed his husband to sleep on that special day. She had collected lots of her own ornaments and coins of gold and silver and made a heap at the doorway of his bed room and lit lamps everywhere in the room. She recited the stories in order to keep her husband awaken. The god of Death, Yama had arrived there in the form of Serpent. Suddenly his eyes were started dazzling because of the lighting lamps and jewellery. He was unable to enter the room that’s why he tried to go through the climbing over the heap of coins. But after listening to the song of the prince’s wife, he sat down there for whole night. And slowly it became morning and he went away without taking her husband. In this way she had saved the life of her husband, from then the day was started celebrating as Dhanteras. As the intelligence of the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death, Dhantheras is celebrated as a reminder that ills (destiny) in a horoscope can be corrected by the right actions (karma). Thus one should perform good deeds all the time to strengthen his fate.

As per beliefs to appease lord Yamraj and to safeguard once family against sudden calamities or death like situations the oil filled diyas are kept burning throughout the night at main entrance and in southern corner of the house. This ritual is popularly known as Yamdeepdaan.

Lord Dhanvantri and Goddess Laxmi appearance from Sumundramanthan

Dhanteras is also an occasion to worship an incarnation of Vishnu – Lord Dhanwantari, the deity of health and the spirit of knowledge, as good health is first and foremost for everybody.

As per legend, Once Lord Indra was cursed by sage Durvasa that “The pride of wealth has entered his head and let Lakshmi leave him.” On account of Durvasa’s curse, Lakshmi left Indra and went away. As Lakshmi- the goddess of power, bravery, enthusiasm and radiance left, Devendra’s life became miserable. The demons that were waiting for such an opportunity invaded heaven defeated Indra.

A number of years passed. Indra went with the gods to Brahma, who went to Vishnu to find out a way. Lord Vishnu advised the devtas to churn the sea of milk. As on churning the ocean among various valuable things, Amrit will also appear and by drinking the same, devetas can become immortal.

Further when the sea is churned, Lakshmi who has disappeared will appear again and her grace will be bestowed on devtas.

After initial difficulties Gods and Demons got ready to churn the ocean. For churning the same, Mandara Mountain became the churning rod and Vasuki, the king of the serpents, became a rope. Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise and hoisted Mandara Mountain on his back and the churning started.

During churning in the midst of the waves of the sea of milk, a goddess with heavenly looks came into view. She was standing on a fully blossomed lotus. Wearing a lotus garland in the neck, she was holding a lotus in her hand. She was attractive and was radiantly smiling, she was Lakshmi.

The sages began reciting hymns in praise of her. As the elephants sprinkled holy water on her, she acquired the name of Gajalakshmi and as she was born in the sea of milk, she was called Samudratanya. Lakshmi put the garland around the neck of Vishnu. Then she looked at Indra kindly, by this act Indra acquired an extraordinary radiance and blessings of Goddess Laxmi.

The gods and demons continued to churn the ocean for Amrit or nectar, Finally, Dhanavantri emerged carrying a jar of the nectar. Both the gods and demons wanted the amrit, but finally Vishnu managed to give the immortal nectar to the gods and the asuras were defeated. Thus the churning of the ocean resulted in the immortality of the Devtas and was the reason for Lakshmi’s emergence.

Thus on this day by worshipping the Tulsi and the Akashdeep, we symbolically seek the favour of Nature which is the ultimate source of health and wealth. In addition to this “Laxmi-Puja” is performed in the evenings when tiny diya of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.