Dhanteras is the 1st day of the five day long Deepavali (aka Diwali) spiritual celebration in India. Although Diwali is celebrated by Hindus and other Dharmic faiths all around the world, Dhanteras is mostly celebrated by Hindus in northern India. Dhanteras is also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanvantari Triodasi. The word Dhan means Wealth and Teras means 13th Day as per Hinduism calender. It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin and falls on November 11-12th in 2012. Although some members of all Dharmic faiths (Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Hindus) celebrate cultural aspects of Dhanteras, it is mostly celebrated religiously by Hindus.
Hinduism’s Goddess Lakshmi (Dhana Lakshmi) is welcomed in houses by lighting of lamps and many celebrants draw Lakshmi’s ( footsteps to mark her arrival along with rangoli designs. Dhanteras holds special significance for the business community and families since it is seen as auspicious to purchase precious commodities such as metals on this day, mostly gold and silver. Therefore, many people buy gold and silver jewelry as gifts and for their families on this day. People also wear new jewelry or clothes on Dhanteras while lighting their first lamp for the Diwali festival.
The Chakra News team would like to extend their wishes to everyone on the occasion of Dhanteras! You can learn how to perform Dhanteras pooja in the video below:
