Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five day Diwali festival. Celebrated one or two days before the major Diwali festival, Dhanteras falls on the thirteenth day of the waning phase of the lunar month in the month of Kartika. Dhanteras is a special occasion for the Hindu households and business communities as it carries a lot of material, religious and spiritual significance.
Dhanteras 2023
Goddess Lakshmi, the source of all wealth and prosperity is invited on Dhanteras with an elaborate puja. In some houses, small footsteps are drawn in vermilion in a row from the entrance to the puja room indicating that the goddess walks inside the household to bless the puja and fill the home with prosperity and auspiciousness. In the evening of Dhanteras, earthen lamps are lit at the entrance and the entire household in order to dispel the evil spirits and also get the blessings of Lord Yama.
Business people celebrate Dhanteras with pujas to Lakshmi and Kuber, the god of wealth. People buy gold, silver and copperware on the day of Dhanteras as a mark of bringing good luck and prosperity to the household. Cows are also worshipped on this day in many regions.
Do's for Dhanteras Puja
Perform Lakshmi puja on the day of Dhanteras without fail. The tradition says Lakshmi puja must be performed on the day of Dhanteras during Pradosh Kaal which means the two hours duration that immediately follows the sunset. Performing Lakshmi puja during this time can bring prosperity and good luck into the household.
Dhanteras also known as Dhantrayodashi is the best day for buying gold. It is said the gold bought on this day will multiply in a lucky manner.
The other items that you can buy on this day to bring auspiciousness and luck into the homes include copperware, silver and gold coins, silver idols of Lakshmi, Kuber and Ganesh.
Cow worship and feeding the cows with jiggery and fodder on this day is considered to be highly auspicious.
Dhanteras is the day when Lord Dhanvantri, the Lord of Medicine emerged from the ocean. Hence it is highly auspicious to buy medicines and donate them to poor people. Especially donating eye and ear drops to people on Dhanteras can bring good luck.
Don'ts for Dhanteras Puja
If you wish to enjoy good health and prosperity, avoid indulging in any kind of sexual activity on Dhanteras day.
On the day of Dhantrayodashi, abstain from consuming liquor and non-vegetarian foods.
Never speak ill of the people whom you do not like and exercise a good control over your tongue.
Never inflict any kind of troubles on anybody during the course of Diwali festival and especially on the day of Dhantrayodashi.
Do not give money to anyone on this day. Do not make any bill payments on Dhanteras. Avoid activities like paying back loans on this day or borrowing money from others. Symbolically this must be the day of receipts and not debits.
On Dhanteras, do not buy items with sharp edges, leather items and items that are made of iron. Avoid buying black color things on Dhanteras.
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