The enchanting five-day festival of lights, Diwali, will begin with the Dhanteras festival, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanvantari Trayodashi, which is significant for worshipping the gods of wealth, medicine, and good fortune.
Sputnik India tells you the significance of Dhanteras and how Hindu devotees celebrate the festival of wealth and prosperity.
The auspicious timing of worship on Dhanteras is from 5:47 p.m. (IST) to 7:43 p.m. on Friday.
What Do People Buy on Dhanteras?
On Dhanteras, people buy valuable items including silver and gold jewellery or coins, electronics like laptops, mobiles, washing machines, kitchenware items, vehicles, brass elephants, brooms, etc., as it is considered auspicious, and is significant to welcoming the Hindu gods of wealth and prosperity, Lord Kubera and the goddess Lakshmi, into their home.
Devotees also buy kuber yantra (a geometric design typically on a gold, silver, or copper plate that is believed to invoke the energy of the god of wealth.
People also sign new business deals and consider the day auspicious to start new projects.
People buy jewellery on the occasion of Dhanteras ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali at a jewellery store in Amritsar on October 22, 2022.
© AFP 2023 NARINDER NANU
How Do Hindus Celebrate the Festival of Dhanteras?
The festival of Dhanteras is believed to bring wealth and a rise in income opportunities and business prospects.
The goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha (remover of obstacles and bring good luck), Lord Dhanvantri (god of medicine), and Lord Kuber are worshipped on Dhanteras. The goddesses Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Kaali are the three forms of the goddess Lakshmi that are also worshipped on this day.
People take out all the silver and gold coins of the goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesh, to worship them.
A glimpse of Dhanteras celebration
© Photo : Twitter
Devotees decorate makeshift temples in their homes, and welcome the goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber by worshiping and performing aarti ceremony (offering sacred light by lighting the oil lamp) and singing prayers and chanting mantras.
Flowers, garlands, and special Indian sweets like atta halwa and boondi ladoo are offered to the god.
Devotees get together and narrate the stories (kathas) and legends of the Dhanteras festival.