Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day celebration of Diwali and is performed to welcome health, wealth, and prosperity. It is a day devoted to worshipping Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, and Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of money.

With the festive seasons approaching, the atmosphere is filled with an electric charge of excitement and joy. The first of the grand festivals of Diwali is Dhanteras, a day that sparkles with the promise of prosperity and good health. While many associate it with the buying of gold and silver, the origin of Dhanteras is rooted in ancient myths and profound symbolism.

The Arrival of Lord Dhanvantari

One of the most famous myths related to Dhanteras is that of the Samudra Manthan, the cosmic ocean churning. It is believed that on this day, Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of medicine among the gods and the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, emerged from the ocean. He held in one hand a jug of Amrita, the heavenly drink of immortality, and in the other, the holy Ayurveda texts. His arrival marks the blessing of good health and long life; hence, Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantari Trayodashi. Worshipping him today is a desire for life free from disease.

The Story of King Hima's Son

The second popular story explains the tradition of lighting a lamp before Yama, the God of Death. A soothsayer had predicted that the son of King Hima would die of a snakebite on the fourth evening of his wedding. His cunning wife made ready on that fateful evening all of her gold and silver ornaments and piled them at the door of their bedroom. She lit countless lamps throughout the house. When Lord Yama, disguised as a snake, entered, he was blinded by the radiance of the lamps and the glittering jewels. He could not enter the room and wrapped his body around the pile of treasure instead, listening to the stories and songs of his wife throughout the night. By morning, the auspicious time for the prince's death had passed, and his life was saved. This is the reason why a solitary light called the Yama Deepam alone is lit southwards in the evening on Dhanteras to prevent untimely death in the family.

The Tradition of Gaining Wealth

Dhanteras is a blend of two words: Dhan, the term for wealth, and Teras, meaning the thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight) of the Hindu month of Kartik. It is said to be an extremely auspicious day to make new buys. People flock to bazaars to buy precious metals like gold and silver, as it is believed to bring in prosperity and good luck. People also purchase new utensils, brooms, or cars. The belief is that whatever wealth or property is gained on this day will double in the next year. The houses are cleaned with dedication and decorated with rangoli and lights to invite Goddess Lakshmi, who allegedly visits and blesses her devotees with prosperity. The Significance of the Celebration

Dhanteras is not only a day of earning money; it weaves tastefully the desire for health and wealth. The rituals and traditions remind us to cleanse our personal and professional lives, reduce, and hearts of any negativity and invite positive energy. It adds a celebratory and positive essence to the festival of lights, a reminder that true prosperity is good health, well-being, and happiness for the entire family.