Dhanteras , also known as Dhanatrayodashi (Sanskrit: धनत्रयोदशी), is the first day to mark the Diwali festival in India.
It is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the month of Krishna Paksha (two dark days) in the Hindu calendar month of Kartika. Dhanvantari also worshiped at the time of Dhanteras, is credited with being the God of Ayurveda who imparted the wisdom of Ayurveda for the betterment of humanity, and helped to end the suffering of disease. The Indian Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, has announced its decision to keep Dhanteras, “as a National Ayurveda Day”, which first appeared on October 28, 2016. Usually, Gujarati families will enjoy a meal of daal Baath and malpua in the new year.
Celebrations
Vasubaras marks the beginning of the Diwali festival. In Vasubaras, a cow and its calf are worshiped. A cow is a sacred place in Vedic culture. He is called “Gau Mata” (mother’s cow), worshiped and raised with great respect. “Gau Mata” and his Prasad “Pancha Gavya”, or “Panchamrut”, are commonly used in all Hindu festivals. Vasubara is followed by Dhanteras.
Dhanteras is a tribute to King Dhanvantari. Lord Dhanvantari, according to Hindu tradition, originated in the time of Samudra Manthan, holding a Kalasha full of Amrit (an Ayurvedic herbal remedy for immortality) in one hand and a sacred inscription on Ayurveda on the other. He is considered to be the Vaidya of God. [6]
The festival is celebrated as Lakshmi Puja performed in the evening when the clay lamps (Diyas) are lit. The Bhajans, hymns praising the goddess Lakshmi, are sung, and the Naivedhya of human sweets is presented to the goddess. An unusual tradition in Maharashtra exists where people lightly pound dried coriander seeds (Dhane in Marathi, Dhanatrayodashi) with jaggery (sugar cane) and offer a mixture like Naivedhya.
In Dhanteras, homes that have not been cleaned for Diwali are completely cleansed and whitewashed, and Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and Ayurveda, is worshiped in the evening. The main door is adorned with colorful lanterns, holiday lights, and traditional images of Rangoli designs designed to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity. To mark his long-awaited arrival, small tracks are painted with rice flour and red powder all over the house. On the night of Dhanteras, the diyas (lights) were kept burning all night in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.
Hindus consider this day to be the best day to buy new items, especially gold or silver items and new dishes. It is believed that a new “Dhan” (treasure) or something made of precious metal is a sign of good luck. In modern times, Dhanteras is well-known for its wide range of gold, silver, and other metals, especially kitchen utensils. On this day also buy a lot of consumer goods and cars.
Tonight, the lights are turned off every night in the skylights and as offerings under the Tulsi plant and in the form of diyas, placed in front of the doors of the houses. This light is a contribution to Yama, the Army of Death, to prevent sudden death during the Diwali festival. This day is a celebration aimed at amassing wealth and prosperity. Dhanteras includes themes for cleaning, refurbishment, and luxury security as outlined by Lakshmi.
At home, cattle are decorated and worshiped by farmers as their main source of income.
Dhanteras marks the start of Diwali, a five-day festival. The much-anticipated festival starts with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj culture. Dhanteras, this year, will be celebrated today, November 2nd. The word ‘Dhanteras’ comes from Sanskrit where ‘Dhan’ means wealth and ‘teras’ is the 13th day of the Hindu lunar calendar.
Marked at Trayodashi Tithi (13th day) of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month Kartik. The festival is also known as Dhantrayodashi.
On this day, devotees prayed to the goddess Lakshmi and bought metal objects. People usually buy gold and silver jewelry and articles made of copper, iron, and copper on this day. This is because it is believed that it prevents negative energy and brings good luck.
People also celebrate this day as Dhanvantri Jayanti, by praying to the God of Ayurveda namely King Dhanvantari. Dhanteras is the birthday of King Dhanvantari, who conveyed the knowledge of Ayurveda to humanity. People pray to the god of health in the evening to get rid of diseases.
According to legend, it was predicted that King Hima’s 16-year-old son would die from a snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage. After discovering this, the son’s wife decided to put a pile of ornaments on the doorstep of her room and told her husband the whole night so that he would not fall asleep.
King Yama took a picture of a snake and came to bite King Hima’s son. Amazed at the jewelry, however, she sat on a pile of ornaments and listened to the news.
In this way, the new bride interrupted Lord Yama and missed the time set to take the prince’s life. King Hima’s son was saved and since then, the metal has been associated with luck and success.
People also believe that the goddess Lakshmi visits their homes at night during Dhanteras so everyone lights her house with colorful dias and colorful lights to welcome her.
Dhanteras is also considered a good day for investing in businesses, purchasing electronics, cars, gold jewelry, and silver as this day is associated with luck, success, and prosperity. According to legend, to solve the plight of the poor Brahmin, the priest once advised her to pray to the goddess Lakshmi and ask for her blessings. In so doing, Brahmin was blessed with wealth and prosperity. Therefore, in Dhanteras, people pray to the goddess Lakshmi and wish their families and loved one’s wealth, prosperity, and happiness.
Many also believe that it was in Dhanteras that the goddess Lakshmi emerged from the sea while filling a pot of gold and treasures. The elephant-headed god, Ganesha is worshiped on this day, and the goddess Lakshmi. According to Hindu mythology, the goddess married Ganesha because she had no children. Out of love, he declared that all his luxury, prosperity, and wealth belonged to him.
