Dhanteras 2017: The Day When Prosperity Knocks Your Door!

The date for Dhanteras in 2017 is October 17. Money is the need of the time. But, what if along with money, you become prosperous and lead a healthy life? Dhanteras brings you the opportunity to attain a prosperous well-being. AstroSage brings you complete information on Dhanteras.

What Is Dhanteras?

Who doesn't want wellness and wealth? We all need it, isn't it? But, how?

On the day of Dhanteras, worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber (treasurer of wealth). They will bless you with wealth & prosperity.

'Dhan' means money and 'Teras' means the 13th day. Each year, the five day festival of Diwali commences with the celebration of Dhanteras. The festival is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight) in the Kartik Maas (month). Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantari Trayodashi or Dhantrayodashi because of the same reason. As per the Hindu calendar , Dhanteras falls during the Gregorian months of October-November.

The festival of Dhanteras must be really important that marks the beginning of the most important Hindu festival, Diwali. Want to know the relation of Dhanteras with the grand Diwali festival? Let's take a look at it.

Since, Diwali is the festival that marks the penetration of light into the darkness of worldly matters; it gives Dhanteras a portion of its importance, just for the reason of being associated with it. Dhanteras is the first day of the grand Diwali festival that lasts for a period of five divine days. Hence, we can also say that Dhanteras is the grand opening of the five-day festivity of Diwali.

Want to know more about all the five days of Diwali? Don't wait and click here: Diwali - Festival Of Lights

Dhanteras is a very special day for the mercantile and business community. It is a mandate to buy something valuable on the first day of Diwali. Most of the people prefer buying gold, silver, and some other precious jewels.

Behind the celebration of every festival, there is some story. Similarly, the festival of Dhanteras has its legends; let's find them out.

Why Is Dhanteras Celebrated?

There are two most famous legends that are associated with the celebrations of Dhanteras. They are as follows:

Legend Of Lord Yama

The story begins with a King by the name Hima. He had a son, whose death was predicted with a bite of a snake, right after his marriage. On knowing this, the prince's wife was desperate to save her husband's life. She did not allow her husband to sleep the whole night. As death is a synonym to darkness, she lit lamps, candles, and made a big heap of her jewellery. She gathered all the precious stones, diamonds, silver, gold, whatever valuable she had. Along with all this, she sang songs and told stories to the prince, in order to prevent him from going off to sleep.

Lord Yama (lord of death) appeared to take the life of the prince in the form of a snake. But, he was unable to do so, as the bright light and heap of gold acted as a hindrance in his path. Hence, Lord Yama could not enter the house and the prince was saved from his destined death. Since then, this day is celebrated as Dhanteras and also given the name 'Yamadeepdaan' as lamps are lit in order to adore Lord Yama.

Another legend associated with the celebration of Dhanteras is about Lord Dhanvantari, let's find out how.

Legend Of Dhanvantari

During the time of Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean of milk), it was decided that everything which will come out, including Amrit (immortal nectar), will be divided equally among Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons).

God Dhanvantari came out with a pitcher of Amrit, while churning the ocean. Gods with their artfulness were able to attain Amrit (immortal nectar). Lord Dhanvantari is considered as the Avtar of Lord Vishnu and is worshiped as the healing god or physician. Post this event, the natural way of healing people was discovered. This way of healing in today's time is popular as Ayurveda .

Now, that you know why we celebrate Dhanteras, let's know how should we celebrate Dhanteras.

Celebrations Of Dhan Teras

The festival of Dhanvantari Trayodashi is celebrated across the country with a lot of enthusiasm and joy. The celebration of Dhanteras is especially witnessed in the Hindu community. On the day of Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped along with Lord Ganesha and Kuber. Special Ghee Diyas (lighting of lamps with clarified butter) are lit, sweets are prepared, and Bhajans (devotional songs) are sung.

The festival of Dhanteras is a day when people inaugurate their new business ventures or projects. People celebrate Dhanteras by buying new car, gold, silver, jewelry, new clothes and many more things. This Dhanteras, don't forget to plan what would you like to buy as a sign of auspiciousness and prosperity.

Preparations For Dhanteras

During the five day festivity of Diwali, people prepare themselves for the day of Dhanteras. They eagerly wait for Goddess Lakshmi to come at their homes on Diwali and Dhanteras is the first auspicious step to it. People welcome the Goddess by renovating and decorating their homes during the first day of Diwali.

During the preparation of Dhanteras, don't forget to light Diyas (lamps), lamps, and candles. Prepare special Rangoli (decorative patterns) at the entrance of your homes. Fix small footprints of Goddess Lakshmi, signifying that she is entering your home on Dhanteras.

Along with these preparations during the Dhanteras, don't forget to buy some presents for your near and dear ones. Let's give you some ideas about the gifts that you can present on this Dhanvantari Trayodashi.

What To Gift On Dhanteras?

With the five days festivity during Diwali, the exchange of gifts will once again begin with Dhanteras. These are some gifts which you can present to your loved ones, friends, and family during Dhanteras.

• Brass vessels
• Idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi
• Hampers of sweets or homemade sweets
• Silver coins of Lakshmi & Ganesha

Gifts are a person's choice, as it varies from person to person. Dhanteras is a festival of hope, wellness, and prosperity. Each year, the festival of Dhanteras brings in new possibilities for the people throughout the globe.

Dhanteras is considered to be one of the most auspicious days for doing any new work and purchasing new items. Especially, for the business community, this day is extremely important for investing, buying, and building new projects. On the day of Dhantrayodashi, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi arrives on earth and blesses everyone with wealth and prosperity.

Don't forget to share Dhanteras greetings in the form of Dhanteras wishes and Dhanteras SMS with your loved ones.

Dhanteras is not just a day to get blessed with wealth, but also to inculcate that wisdom and purity in one's heart. It is always said that if your faith, devotion, and dedication toward God is pure, he will always be there to protect and bless you.

So, light the lamp of wisdom this Dhanteras and seek the blessings of Lakshmi-Kuber during this Dhantrayodashi.

AstroSage wishes all its readers a very happy, wealthy and prosperous Dhanteras..!