Dhantrayodashi which is also known as Dhanteras is the first day of five days long Diwali festivities.
It is also the day for celebrating wealth, as the word ‘Dhan’ means wealth and ‘Tera’ comes from the date 13th. Dhanteras falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik .
It is said that on the day of Dhantrayodashi, Goddess Lakshmi came out of the ocean during the churning of the Milky Sea. Hence, Goddess Lakshmi, along with Lord Kubera who is the God of wealth, is worshipped on the auspicious day of Trayodashi.
Dhanteras Puja Muhurta, Panchang for Dhantrayodashi Day, Date, Timings
Dhanteras 2016 Date
This year Dhanteras will be celebrated on Friday, October 28.
Dhanteras Puja Muhurta, Panchang
Pradosh Kaal = 17:50 to 20:19
Vrishabha Kaal = 18:58 to 21:00
Trayodashi Tithi Ends = 18:20 on 28/Oct/2016
History and Legends of Dhanteras
Dhanteras is related to an interesting story about the 16-year-old son of King Hima. His horoscope predicted his death by snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that particular day, his newly-wed wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid out all her ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a heap at the entrance of the sleeping chamber and lit lamps all over the place. Then she narrated stories and sang songs to keep her husband from falling asleep. The next day, when Yama, the god of Death arrived at the prince’s doorstep in the disguise of a Serpent, his eyes were dazzled and blinded by the brilliance of the lamps and the jewellery. Yama could not enter the Prince’s chamber, so he climbed on top of the heap of gold coins and sat there the entire night listening to the stories and songs. In the morning, he silently went away. Thus, the young prince was saved from the clutches of death by the cleverness of his new bride, and the day came to be celebrated as Dhanteras. The following day came to be called Naraka Chaturdashi (‘Naraka’ means hell and Chaturdashi means 14th). It is also known as ‘Yamadeepdaan’ as the ladies of the house light earthen lamps or ‘deep’ and these are kept burning throughout the night glorifying Yama, the God of Death. Since this is the night before Diwali, it is also called ‘Chhoti Diwali’ or Minor Diwali.
According to another popular Story, when the Gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrita or nectar, Dhanvantari (the physician of the Gods and an incarnation of Vishnu) emerged carrying a jar of the elixir on the day of Dhanteras.
How to do Dhanteras puja | Dhanteras Puja Vidhi
What & When to Purchase on Dhanteras
On Dhanteras it is considered auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that new “Dhan” or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evenings and tiny Diyas of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.