Omkar Dattatray
India is a land of rich traditions and diverse cultures, is known for its numerous festivals that hold immense significance. One such festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion is Dhanteras. Dhanteras marks the beginning of the illustrious festival of lights-Diwali. Dhanteras also known as Dhanatryodeshi is the first day that marks the festival of Diwali in most of India.It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight ) in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin( according to the amanta tradition) or Kartika ( according to Purnimanta tradition ). Dhanvantari, who is also worshipped on the occasion of Dhanteras ,is considered the god of Ayurveda who imparted the wisdom of Ayurvada for the benefit and betterment of humanity and to help rid it of the suffering of disease. The Indian ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy ,Unani ,Siddhi and Homeopathy, announced its decision to observe Dhanteras ,as the National Ayurveda Day ,which was first observed on 28th October 2016.Dhanteras is the worship of Dhanvantri. Dhanvantri , according to Hindu traditions ,emerged during Samudra Manthana , holding a pot full of amrita ( a nectar bestowing immortality) in one hand and the sacred text about Ayurveda in the other. .He is considered to be the physician of the gods .The festival is celebrated as Lakshmi Puja ,which is performed in the evenings when lamps of clay (diyas) are lit .Bhajans or devotional songs are sung in praise of goddess Lakshmi and traditional sweets are offered to the goddess .It is believed that new Dhan -wealth or some item made of precious metal is a sign of good luck .In modern times ,Dhanteras has come to be known as the most auspicious occasion for buying gold ,silver ,and other metals ,especially kitchenware .The day also sees heavy purchases of appliances and automobiles .It is also celebration of health and is constituent part of Diwali .In the year 2023,it falls on 10th of November. .Dhanteras is a festival celebrated by Hindus .On this day ,people purchase utensils and jewellery to bring good luck .The word Dhanteras is derived from Dhan meaning wealth and Teras which means thirteen .The festival of Dhanteras has mythological and religious roots .So like other festivals ,Dhanteras ,festival is linked with famous Hindu mythological stories .There is an interesting story behind Dhanteras ,for which people worship Lord Yamaraja on this day .As per one of the popular stories ,it is believed that the horoscope of a kings son predicted that he will die on the fourth day of marriage after getting bitten by snake .On the fourth day his wife decided to turn the fate around .She made sure her husband did not sleep ,as she narrated stories to keep him awake .To lure snake away ,she laid out all the ornaments and coins at the entrance in a heap .It is believed when the God of Death came in the disguise of a snake ,he was blinded by all the dazzling jewellery and coins .This way the snake could not enter the King’s chamber and also got hooked to the wife’s stories and songs .It is believed that he silently left the place in morning and bared the life of the prince .Another interesting story which is very popular is the one featuring Lord Dhanvantari ,who is the physician of the Gods and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu ,who came out of an ocean that is believed to be churned by the Gods and demons on the day of Dhanteras , and so people worship Lord Dhanvantri on this day .Since then Dhanteras is known as one of the most auspicious days and one of the biggest festivals of Hindus. Dhanteras is the birth anniversary of God of Ayurveda .On this day ,a lamp for God of Death is lit outside the home so that any untimely death of family members can be avoided. .People also worship Lord of Death Yamaraj and Goddess Lakshimi .On Dhanteras devotees pray to Lord Dhanvantri for curing chronic ailments by Ayurveda. Dhanteras is also celebrated to honor and worship Lord Kubera ,the god of wealth ,and Goddess Lakshmi ,the goddess of prosperity .It is believed that on this auspicious day ,buying new items especially ones made of gold ,silver ,utensils ,kitchenware’s ,automobiles and other appliances is believed to brings good luck and prosperity .On the occasion of Dhanteras ,there is big hustle and bustle in markets and people usually go for shopping on this day .This day is a celebration aimed at increasing wealth and prosperity .Dhanteras engages themes of cleansing ,renewal and the securing of auspiciousness as embodied by Lakshmi .In villages cattle are adorned and worshipped by farmers as their main source of income .People also purchase brooms on this day .Purchasing a broom is considered to keep Goddess Lakshmi from leaving one’s home .Buying a broom on Dhanteras is also said to assist one get rid of all debts and bring happiness and prosperity. To keep house clean brooms are regularly used in every family. Cleanliness is said to attract goddess Lakshmi. One of the stories say that on this day Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva and won. On this auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, may there be abundant shower of wealth in our life and may the light of success cover our life beautifully. Happy Dhanterras to all.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist).
