Dhanteras 2023

When is Dhanteras 2023? Friday, 10 November - Dhanteras is made up of two words - Dhan and Teras. Dhan means wealth, while Teras means the 13th day. Dhanteras, which is celebrated on the 13th day of the Krishna Paksha as per the Hindu calendar, marks the beginning of the five festivities of Diwali. It is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals which is associated with the buying of precious goods such as jewelry, automobiles, and utensils. On this day Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening. Diyas of clay are lit and people buy gold, silver, and utensils. The festival is celebrated with quite a pomp. It falls between October and November every year.

Legend behind Dhanteras

• It had been predicted that the 16 year old son of King Hima in ancient India would die of a snake bite on the fourth day of his marriage.
• The new bride being aware of the prediction removed all her ornaments made of precious metals and stones, and kept them at the doorway along with lighted lamps on that night.
• While her husband slept, the new bride narrated stories and sang songs.
• Yama, the God of Death as per Hindu mythology, arrived in the form of a snake to take away the prince but was dazzled by the light from the ornaments and lamps.
• Yama was also distracted by the melodious songs being sung by the bride and left in the morning without harming the prince.

Rituals

• Office premises and homes are renovated with a fresh coat of paint and decorated with flowers, lights, and earthen lamps.
• Elaborate rangolis are created at the entrance as a welcome to the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Laxmi.
• People fast the entire day before the puja in the evening.
• The puja is conducted with earthen diyas, bhajans, traditional sweets, roli and arti.
• The seven cereals are worshipped on this day including barely, wheat, Urad, gram, Moong and Masoor.

Dhanteras Celebrations

• It is believed that buying anything new on this day will bring prosperity.
• People buy gold, silver, brass or steel, according to their financial capacity, for it is believed to be very auspicious to buy metal on this day.
• This day is also considered auspicious for launching new business ventures or projects.
• People exchange gifts of Brass Kalash, Omkara Idol, Idol of Lakshmi and Ganesha, sweet hamper, readymade rangoli, foot prints of Lakshmi, door hangings and etc
• The festive season begins on Dhanteras with family and friends getting together, sharing time, gifts and feasts.
• Silver coins with the picture of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha are also given as gifts.

Dhanteras Traditions

• The day is of great significance to the prosperous mercantile community in Western India. Houses and offices are beautifully decorated and colorful Diwali Rangolis or motifs are made to adorn the entrance in order to welcome the Goddess of wealth and Prosperity, Lakshmi.
• Small footsteps are drawn all over the house to indicate her long awaited arrival. It is also considered favorable to purchase gold or silver on this day. Even those who cannot afford gold or silver ensure that they at least buy two new utensils.
• A traditional pooja (prayer) is held in the temples in the evening and people light Diwali diyas (small oil lamps) to ward away evil spirits. People also sing devotional songs called Bhajans in praise of the Goddess Lakshmi.
• Being a businessman, if you perform the puja on Labh Muhurat, then you may get more benefits. The Shubh Muhurat will help you acquire wealth and keep you in good health. It is believed that worshipping on Shubh Muhurat increases one's longevity. However, Amrit Muhurat is considered as the best time to perform the.

Dhanteras Special Gifts

Over the last couple of years Dhanteras gifts have created a niche for themselves in the Diwali markets. Earlier, the focus was on buying only Diwali gifts, however there's a considerable increase in Dhanteras gifts sales, particularly amongst the affluent. The reasons are many, starting out of course with the strengthening economy of India to the superstitions of the mercantile community. The festival Dhanteras marks the official start of the Diwali festivities and is a significant festival amongst the traders, merchants and the mercantile community at large.

• Dhan' means wealth, and people celebrate this festival by performing a ritual Puja thanking the God for bestowing them with so much wealth and prosperity and seeking blessings for the future as well.
• It is considered extremely auspicious to buy Gold, silver or utensils on this day, as it is believed to be fortuitous to introduce new 'Dhan' to the house.
• Gold and silver gifts are the most common Dhanteras gifts for obvious reasons. Jewelers all over the country report increased sales, as people get busy buying gold and silver for themselves and others. However, fact remains that not everybody can buy gold, so the nest best option is to buy home decor items like cushion covers, racks and holders etc, and utensils too are a great option.