Dhanteras is among the most important festival in the Hindu Culture. It is celebrated on the 13th day of the Ashwin month, on the Krishna Paksha. Dhanteras is made of two words; Dhan means wealth and Teras means, 13th, as it falls on the 13th day after the full moon.
History Related to Dhanteras
There are two important happening in the history that is related to this occasion. First is that when Samundra Manthan was going on, in which gods and demons were churning the sea in the search of nectar. During this great churning of sea, Dhanvantri an incarnation of the god Vishnu came out of it. God Dhanvantri is the physician of god.
Another legend related to the Dhanteras Occasion, is that, there is used to be a king named as Hima. He was having 16 year old son. As per the predication and Horoscope, he would die on the fourth day of his marriage. And time came for his marriage and he got married to a beautiful girl. But as it was known to her bride, about the predication, she made plans to avert that. On the fourth day, she filled the whole room with gold coins and then she placed lots of diyas inside the room. Then she decided to keep her husband wake up all the night, by telling him the stories and songs. When Yama (God death) came to the door for taking soul of the young king, his eyes were not able to see anything as the reflection from the gold coins made the vision unclear. He then decided to sit on the heap of the coins and listened to the stories and songs whole night. And in the morning he went away from there. This is how the clever queen averted death of his husband, and hence from that day this day got its significance.
Preparation of Dhanteras
Dhanteras preparation usually takes place four to five days in advance. A preparation generally includes the items that need to be brought from the market for Lakshmi Puja. On the Dhanteras Eve, Lakshmi Puja is carried out in a large manner. Markets can be seen flooded with the decorating material and other things needed for the prayers. Since Diwali festival is just one day after it, there is quite good stridency in the market and home.
Dhanteras Celebrations
Dhanteras Celebrations are huge as most of the shopping for the Diwali festival is carried out on this occasion. Dhanteras is an auspicious occasion to buy gold, silver or anything related to the precious metals. But over the years trends have changed. Buying car, electronics, home etc are considered auspicious on this occasion. In northern India, this is a tradition that people buy new utensils on this occasion. Major prayers for Maa Lakshmi are carried in the evening, followed by decorating home with diyas and light. People usually give this day preference for the social and hence visits each other home. Sharing gifts is quite common scene and mostly children enjoy it.
Dhanteras Shopping
Dhanteras occasion is auspicious for buying anything new, so people tends to take Car, television, home studio, House and other valuable assets. This signifies the Maa Lakshmi coming to your home. Various shopping malls have special discount on this occasion and they have number of programs running for the celebrations. Jewellery demands increases a lot on this occasion and hence, these shops have great offers running.
Dhanteras Puja
Dhanteras festival is dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi and hence all the prayers are dedicated to them only. Material needed for Lashmi Puja is taken from the market one day in advance. Some people also donate some amount in the temples also. As per the legends, those who worship goddess with true devotion and reverence will surely get prosperity and wealth in their life. Since Maa Laskhmi is soul mate of Lord Vishnu, people worship him also. Mostly the prayers are done in the evening followed by the Aarti of Maa Lakshmi.
Dhanteras Muhurat
There is certain auspicious timing to carry out the prayer of Maa Lakshmi. This year Dhanteras Puja Muhurat is from 19:27 to 20:22. But People are advised to check out the timings from their local temples also.