Dhanteras

Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Diwali Festival. The festival, known as Dhantrayodashi, Dhanwantari Triodasi or Dhanvantri Jayanti and observed two days before Diwali Puja.. The word Dhan means wealth and Teras means 13th day as per Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin. 

Dhantrayodashi, is relates to wealth and prosperity and is considered significant for Lakshmi-Kuber Puja. On this day people worship Goddess Lakshmi along with Lord Kuber for material wealth and prosperity. Lord Kuber, who is considered treasurer of the riches of the world, is worshipped along with Sri Lakshmi the Goddess of wealth. Dhanteras holds special significance for the business community due to the customary purchases of precious metals on this day. 

Dhanteras is ideal time to start new businesses, new projects, housewarming, buying vehicles or electronic items. Alpana or Rangoli designs are drawn on pathways including the goddess' footprints to mark the arrival of Lakshmi. Aartis or devotional hymns are sung eulogizing Goddess Lakshmi and sweets and fruits are offered to her. People flock to the jewellers and buy gold or silver jewellery or utensils to venerate the occasion of Dhanteras.

The day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanvantari, the teacher and the father of Ayurveda.  According to legends, during the churning of the milky ocean, Dhanvantari emerged with the nectar pot on the very same day. Lord Dhanvantari is the physician of Gods and considered one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. On this day people worship Lord Dhanvantari and pray for the good health and physique.

According to an ancient tail a very interesting story about this day is attached to the sixteen 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. 

When Yam, the god of Death arrived there appearing in form of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by the dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious 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. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in remembering Yam, the god of Death.

 

The ritual of “Yamdeepdaan” on dhanteras when the lamp for the God of death is lit outside home to ward off any untimely death of any family members. The following mantra chanting at the time of ‘Deep daan’

मृत्युना पाशदण्डाभ्यां कालेन च मया सह।
त्रयोदश्यां दीपदानात सूर्यज: प्रीयतामिति॥