Diwali is a five-day long festival which starts with Dhanteras. Dhanteras is also known as Dhanalakshmi Pooja, “Dhanatrayodashi” or “Dhanvantari Trayodashi”. In the word Dhanteras, Dhan symbolizes wealth, and teras symbolize 13th day, according to Hindu calendar. On the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, Lord Kuber and Mata Laxmi are worshipped and people seek their blessings for living a happy and prosperous life. It is believed that while the Milky Sea was being churned up, Goddess Laxmi came out from it and from that day, this occasion is celebrated as Dhanteras. It is believed that on the occasion of Dhanteras, if Laxmi Pujan is performed during Pradosh kaal then Goddess Laxmi stays at home and thus, this is considered to be the best time for performing the pujan.
It falls in Krishna paksha on the thirteenth lunar day, in month of Aaswayuja (in Amaavasyanta Luni-Solar Calendar), according to Hindu calendar. Goddess Lakshmi is prayed on Dhanteras for well being and prosperity. On this day precious metals are purchased such as Silver, Gold, and Copper etc. The God of wealth and assets, Lord Kubera is also worshipped on this occasion for getting wealth and prosperity. If this occasion is celebrated by following proper rituals, then Goddess Laxmi and Lord Kuber bless the devotees with wealth and well being. This day is also considered to be very auspicious for the beginning of any new deal. Thus, those who start with some important money related matter on the occasion of Dhanteras are able to receive beneficial results and thus can earn huge profits.
What is the legend behind Dhanteras?
There is a very popular story behind the festival of Dhanteras. As per the legend, there was a king named Hima having a son. When his son was 16-years old, it was predicted that the boy will die after four days of his marriage. To prevent this accident, his wife acted clever and she did not let him sleep that night.
The lady spread many silver, gold coins and other ornaments at the entrance of the room, where the prince was sleeping. To brighten the area, she also lit lamps and candles in the room. As a result, the whole area was filled with brilliance of lights. To prevent her husband from sleeping, the lady kept on singing songs and stories for the whole night and as a result her husband was not at able to sleep. When the God of Death, Yama came next day in Avatar of snake, he was not able to see anything because of brilliance of jewelry and lamps. Yama was unable to enter the room of the prince, so he set on the corner and listen to the songs and stories chanted by the lady. The snake was not able to bite the prince and he spared the deadline. In the morning, the snake went away. With the efforts of his wife, the life of prince was spared. From that day, this story became famous and the day is started to be celebrated as
Dhanteras. On account of the life saving effects of this day, it also became famous as Naraka Chaturdashi and ‘Yamadeepdaan’.
There is one more story behind this festival. As per the story, Once upon a time, a battle occurred between the demons and the Gods in the ocean for divine nectar or ‘amrit’. At that time, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu known as Lord Dhanvantari, came out of the ocean carrying a pot of Amrit. So, it is also believed that Dhanteras is named after the name of divine God Dhanvantari.
Who is prayed this day?
The Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi is worshipped to get well being and prosperity. On this day lighting of lamp is done and Dhan-Lakshmi pooja is done. Rangoli designs or alpana along with Goddess, footprints are drawn on the floor to welcome Lakshmi. Devotional hymns and Aartis are sung and fruits and sweets are offered to her. People buy silver and gold jewelry on this occasion. To celebrate this festival, people also wear new clothes and decorates their home with lights. “Lakshmi Puja” is done in the evening with diyas and laltens. Business places are decorated and renovated on Dhanteras. This occasion brings happiness in life. The worshippers are blessed with wealth and all materialistic things. As it is beginning of festival Diwali, so it is believed that starting any new thing on this day brings lots of profit.
The incarnation of Lord Vishnu named Dhanvantari is also worshipped on the occasion of Dhanteras. It is believed that Lord Dahanvantari is the Deity of knowledge and health. The greatest wealth of one life is good health without which one cannot enjoy his life. Thus, people seek the blessings of Lord Dhanvantari on the occasion of Dhanteras so as to get good health and well being for them as well as their family. Also, it is an undeniable fact that knowledge is the key for success and it can help a person to become rich and prosperous.
Thus, Dhanteras is the perfect occasion on which the pursuit of health and knowledge could be celebrated. Thus, the festival of Dhanteras leaves a simple message that to lead a happy life, it is important to stay healthy and to became successful in life, knowledge is must, as it enables a person to fulfill his dreams and lead a happy and prosperous life. One must do well for all, stay healthy and true and should perform the deeds that could bring happiness for him as well as others. It is believed that if someone starts with something new and important on the occasion of Dhanteras, them he is assured to get beneficial results. The festival of Dhanteras brings success, wealth, happiness and prosperity in the life of people.
