Reciting interesting stories behind every Hindu festival is an integral part of the celebration, and on Dhanteras, too, which falls on November 10, devotees will gather to narrate famous legends from Indian mythology that are significant to this day.
Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanvantari Trayodashi, marks the beginning of the five-day festival of light, Diwali, and is believed to bring wealth and a rise in income opportunities and business prospects.
On this day, devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kuber (Gods of wealth), Lord Ganesha (remover of obstacles and bring good luck), and Lord Dhanvantri (God of medicine).
Sputnik India brings the legends and folk tales about how Dhanteras festival came into being and why devotees celebrate it to you.
Story of King Hima's Son
As per the legend, a soothsayer forecasted that the 16-year-old young prince, son of King Hima, would meet his untimely death on the fourth day of his marriage due to a snake bite.
When his newlywed wife heard about this, she came to his rescue and found a way to defeat death.
She created a heap of all her gold and silver ornaments at the entrance of the bed chamber and lit many lamps around it.
To keep her husband awake, she narrated stories and sang songs.
When Yama, the God of death, arrived at the prince's doorstep in disguise as a snake, he was blinded by the brightness of the lamps and the jewellery. He couldn't reach the prince and went back.
The wife tricked the snake and saved the young prince's life. This day later came to be celebrated as Dhanteras. Devotees light oil lamps (diyas) at the doorsteps and pray for their family's good health and also to keep negative energy at bay.
Lord Dhanvantari
Dhanteras also marks the birth anniversary of the God of Medicine or Ayurveda, Dhanvantari, who is worshipped on this day for good health and well-being.
Lord Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is believed to have emerged from the ocean with a pot of amrita (nectar of immortality) during Samudra Manthana (churning of the ocean).
According to the legend, a famous sage named Durvasa once cursed Lord Indra, the king of the gods, deities, and heaven, and other gods to lose all their powers.
The curse came true when Goddess Lakshmi abandoned her divine abode, leaving Lord Indra in a weakened state. This made the demons enter heaven and defeat him.
Lord Vishnu instructed Lord Indra and Lord Brahma to churn the sea of milk (Samudra Manthan or Amrit Manthan) to generate amrit (holy nectar) from the ocean water that would make the gods immortal.
Amid the cosmic battle between Gods and Demons, the churning of the sea led to the emergence of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari carrying a vessel of holy nectar (Amrit).
Lord Vishnu defeated the demons by giving holy nectar to the Gods, thereby making them immortal.
On Dhanteras, devotees worship medicinal plants and Mother Nature which is the definitive source of health and wealth.
Devotees perform 'Laxmi-Puja' by lighting the oil lamp (diya) to ward off the glooms of evil spirits.