With the onset of Diwali which is a five day festival, the markets are all ready with various offers and varieties to attract the customers. The festive season starts with Dhanteras also known as Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanatrayodashi or Yamadeepdaan Trayodashi and it comes two days before the Diwali. It falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha (Fading Moon) in the Hindu month of Kartik.

The word “Dhan” means wealth. On this day, the “Owl” vehicle of the Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide wealth, prosperity and well being.

Dhanteras is celebrated in honour of Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu who emerged on the earth after devils and gods churned the ocean to get the nectar. The mythological story says that Dhanvantri emerged with knowledge of Ayurveda as Heath is considered to be the biggest wealth. Therefore, Dhanteras; the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanvantri is celebrated before worshipping goddess of wealth; Laxmi.

There is another story associated with the celebration of the festival as Yamadeepdaan Trayodashi. The 16-year-old son of King Hima was doomed to die on the fourth day of his marriage. After his marriage the young wife did not allow him to sleep on that fateful day and also put all ornaments and coins etc. in form of a heap and lighted lamps. She went on singing contionuously.

When Lord Yama came in the guise of a serpent he was dazzled by the light of lamps and gold. Consequently he could not enter the chamber and waited on that heap of jewels. In the morning he went away quietly and thus the prince was saved. Thus this day is also celebrated as YAMADEEPDAAN.

This festival holds special significance for the business community due to customary purchases of precious metals on this day. Buy anything made of metal on dhanteras is considered as auspicious. People buy gold, silver ornaments and in some houses it is customary to buy utensils on this day.

We wish all our readers Happy Dhanteras and a great festive week ahead.