Dhanteras marks the first day of the five-day long Diwali festival, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanwantari Triodasi and is celebrated with utmost divinity and enthusiasm by Hindus in India.
When is Dhanteras celebrated?
Dhanteras is celebrated two days before Diwali. Dhanteras comes every year in the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashwin (October/November).
Meaning of Dhanteras Festival
The word ‘Dhan’ in the first half of the word Dhanteras means wealth. And ‘Teras’ means thirteenth. The rich trading class worship Goddess Laxmi (the goddess of wealth) for prosperity and well being. This time is ideal for setting up businesses, commencing new projects, housewarming, deciding wedding dates, buying cars and jewelry. Exchange of gifts is popular and hence special gifts for Dhanteras flood the markets.
Legends about Dhanteras Festival
First Legend:
One legend goes that the sixteen year old son of King Hima was predicted to die of a snake bite four days after his marriage. In order to keep him awake, his wife played wise. On that day, she laid all her ornaments and the silver coins in a heap at the entrance of their bedroom and lighted lamps all over the place especially around the bed. She began singing to her husband and told him tales.
Arrival of the God of Death: When the God of Death, Yama, arrived in the form of a serpent, the dazzle of lights made him blind and he could not enter the Prince’s chamber. So he slithered atop the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs.
In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Thus Dhanteras came to be known as the day of ‘Yamadeepdaan’, and the lamps are kept burning nearby throughout the night to keep the evil spirits away.
Second Legend:
Hindu mythology has it that Samudramanthan or the churning of the ocean is the heart of the Dhanteras celebrations. Lord Indra was cursed by the sage Durvasa. “The pride of wealth has entered his head and so let Goddess Laxmi leave him.”
Goddess Laxmi left Indra and this made his life miserable for after all Laxmi is the goddess of power, bravery, enthusiasm and radiance. The demons, awaiting this opportunity invaded heaven and defeated Indra who lost his kingdom and hid from demons.
Many years later, Indra’s teacher Brihaspati came with a solution for his troubles. He went with the gods to Lord Brahma, who in turn went to Lord Vishnu. They decided to churn the sea for nectar, but this was not an easy task. So they first befriended the demons and then sought their assistance.
The Mandara Mountain was the churning rod and Vasuki - the king of the serpents, was the rope and it was decided that once nectar was produced, the gods would drink it to become immortal and defeat the demons.
The churning began with teething problems like the sinking of Mount Mandara into the sea which was set right by Lord Vishnu who took the form of a tortoise and hoisted it on his back. Initially, Kalakuta, a dreadful poison was produced, but Lord Shiva drank this much to the relief of all the gods and demons. With Lord Vishnu’s continued encouragement, the gods and demons continued churning the sea.
Finally, amidst waves, Goddess Laxmi appeared standing on a lotus, wearing a lotus garland, and holding a lotus in her hand. The sages recited hymns, the Gandharvas sang, and the Apsaras danced. The elephants on either side sprinkled sacred holy Ganga water on the goddess and bathed her, and she got the name Gajalaxmi. As she was born in the sea, she was also called Samudratanya.
The King of the Sea appeared in his natural form and comforted her as he would his daughter and presented her with attractive clothes and jewels. He gave her a garland of lotus flowers which Laxmi put around the neck of Vishnu. She then looked at Indra kindly, and he acquired radiance.
Meanwhile the gods and demons continued to churn the ocean for nectar, and finally Dhanavantri [Laxmi] emerged carrying a jar of elixir. Both gods and demons wanted it, but Lord Vishnu managed to give the immortal nectar to the gods and thus the demons were defeated. The churning of the ocean thus resulted in the immortality of the gods and Dhanteras celebrations.
Preparations for Dhanteras
During Dhanteras, all houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with traditional ‘Rangolis’ or patterns drawn on the floor to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. Small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the house. And lamps are kept burning all through the night.
Hindu Tradition on Dhanteras Day
On Dhanteras, it is auspicious and customary to purchase precious metals like gold, silver and utensils. As such the market places wear a festive look and the entire nation seems painted yellow. It is believed that buying of new ‘Dhan’ or precious metal brings good luck to the family.
Celebration of Dhanteras Before Diwali
Dhanteras is celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm. After seeing the star in the evening, ‘Laxmi Puja’ is performed and tiny Diyas of clay are lit to drive away evil spirits. Devotional songs are sung in praise of Goddess Laxmi and ‘Naivedya’ or offerings like traditional sweets are made. There is a custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and given as offering.
In the villages, cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they are the main source of income. In south India, cows are given special offerings because they are thought of as incarnations of the Goddess Laxmi.
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