History of Dhanteras | Dhanteras is First Day of Diwali Festival | Dhanwantari Triodasi Festival
Dhanteras is the first day of the five day Deepavali Festival. Dhanteras also known as "Dhantrayodashi" or "Dhanwantari Triodasi". Dhanteras is a special festival when the Carrier of Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide wealth, prosperity and well being. Dhanteras is a special day for the business communities due to purchasesing and selling of customery goods of precious metals like gold, silver, brass, etc.
Wish your near and dear ones for the best of luck on wealth and prosperity on that day.
The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. Dhanteras is a special day for the business communities.
Dhanteras Legends : A very interesting story about Dhanteras Festival says that once the sixteen year old son of King Hima. was sentenced to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage as per his horoscope. That day his fourth marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She put all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lamps are countless in all directions. And she went on telling stories and singing songs.
When Yama, the god of death arrived there as a Serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's room. Then he climbed on top of the stack of ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus, the woman saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since that day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in adoration friendly Yam, the god of death.
Dhanteras Preparations : To mark the auspicious day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entries are colored with beautiful traditional designs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate its long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. The lamps are burned throughout the night.
Dhanteras Traditions : On Dhanteras Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase items with gold or silver 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 lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. Bhajans ir devotional songs-in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the goddess. exists a particular custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.
In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. South cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshiped on this day.
The Second Day of Diwali - Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi
The Third Day of Diwali - Lakshmi Puja on Diwali
The Fourth Day of Diwali - Padwa and Govardhan Puja
The Fifth Day of Diwali - Bhai Duj
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