Dhanteras represents the beginning of Diwali. Knowing the history, rituals, and spiritual importance of Dhanteras will help you perform the rituals better this Diwali 2022.
Dhanteras is observed two days before Diwali, and this year, 2022, Dhanteras will be celebrated on the 22rd of October, Sunday. People purchase expensive products (mostly gold, silver or utensils) on this day because it is considered that money spent would result in several returns in the future. People clean their homes, paint them fresh, and decorate them in various ways to give them an elegant and beautiful appearance to attract the goddess Lakshmi and prosperity. People await this festival to please Goddess Lakshmi, Lord kuber and Lord Ganesha to achieve prosperity and fortune in life.
But people must follow the rituals correctly and celebrate the occasion properly. Below we have mentioned its significance, pooja rituals and what you should avoid during the festival.
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Significance and History of Dhanteras
Dhanteras represents the beginning of Diwali. Dhan denotes wealth, and Teras is used to describe the thirteenth. Like all of our religious celebrations, this celebration is associated with several well-known legendary tales.
What to do on Dhanteras?
Dhanteras also referred to as Dhantrayodashi, which is observed two days before Diwali, is a lucky time to buy real estate or make a meaningful gift for a new home. Today, people also purchase silver or gold, kitchenware, and electronic devices. Any items purchased on this auspicious day, whether in gold or real estate, are considered to prosper and bring success.
What is the Meaning of Dhanteras?
Dhan refers to the aspect that makes our lives flow smoothly. Business people cherish their treasuries on Dhanteras. Their financial year runs from Diwali to Diwali, and they also view Dhanteras as the start of a new accounting year. One of Deity Vishnu’s twenty-four incarnations is Deity Dhanvantari. Like the god Vishnu, he has four hands, which he uses to carry the Sudarshan Chakra, a conch, a jalouka, and an amount of pot (Nectar). The founder of Ayurveda is the deity Dhanvantari.
Dhanteras Pooja
- You’ll need a Kalash, rice, kum kumkum, coconut, and betel leaves for the puja. To commence a puja, light a diya and leave it lit overnight.
- The worship of clay, silver and other metal idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi is encouraged by tradition.
- Three avatars of the goddess Lakshmi are worshiped during the puja: MahaLakshmi, Maha Kaali, and Saraswati. Lords Kuber and Ganesha stand for prosperity, education, peace, and harmony. Fruits, sweets, and dry fruits must be distributed as prasad.
- Add new flowers at the shrine, especially red roses and lotus. Light incense, dhoop, or camphor.
- Additionally, clay diyas are lit during the evening Lakshmi Puja ceremony, where devotional melodies are sung.
- The hymns honor the goddess Lakshmi and invite her to their households, and the diyas are supposed to keep away evil spirits.
- The deity receives offerings of sweets or naivedya. Especially in Maharashtra, the goddess is served a particular sort of prasad that has crushed coriander seeds combined with jaggery.
Things to avoid on Dhanteras:
- Avoid drinking alcohol and eating anything that isn’t vegetarian on Dhantrayodashi.
- Refrain from engaging in any sexual activity on Dhanteras Day if you want to live long and prosper.
- Don’t ever condemn someone you don’t like, and learn to control your tongue.
- On this day, don’t offer any money. On Dhanteras, avoid paying bills. This must be the day of receipt, not debits.
- Avoid purchasing anything with a sharp edge, leather, or anything made of iron during Dhanteras. Don’t purchase anything in black during Dhanteras.