The event is observed on the 13th lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Karthik month, according to the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar. They purchase jewellery, cutlery, food and household equipment, and automobiles on this day because they believe the festival to be lucky for buying metals. On this day, people worship the goddess Lakshmi in order to be prosperous, happy, and wealthy.
The Dhanteras Puja's History
This celebration can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Many devote it to Lord Yama, some to the goddess Lakshmi, and yet others to the medical deity Dhanvantri. There are three main types of Dhanteras folklore. The final one is connected to Lord Yama, while the other two are a part of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean.
Dhanvantri is the Hindu god of medicine and ayurveda, according to mythology. He is credited with using Ayurveda to heal people of illnesses and advance humankind. The God of Ayurveda, Dhanvantri, is honoured on the auspicious day of Dhanteras for his wisdom and for using Ayurveda to treat acute and chronic ailments.
According to ancient Hindu literature, God Dhanvantri is regarded by Hindu gods as a doctor as well. Also, according to ancient legendary writings, God Dhanvantri was born via Samudra Manthan while holding an Ayurvedic book and a jar of Amrit.
Lakshmi-related history is yet another noteworthy tale. According to mythological sources, Goddess Lakshmi is a symbol of wealth, happiness, success, and good fortune and was created during the great churning of the ocean. To entice and welcome Goddess Lakshmi, people make rangolis at their front doors and light the main entrance of their homes with Diyas.
The third legend tells the story of a prince who was the son of King Hima and was prophesied to perish on the fourth day of his marriage from a snakebite. The princess's wife, however, piled up gold, silver, and other metals at the front of her home, lighted a lot of Diyas, and spent the entire night entertaining her husband while singing and telling stories.
The brightness of Metals and Diyas prevented Lord Yama, the God of Death, from seeing anything when he appeared as a serpent. Lord Yama remained there till the following am, when he peacefully departed. For this reason, Dhanteras is also referred to as Yamadeepdaan, which means presenting earthen lamps to Lord Yama.
Puja and Dhanteras rituals
Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in the evening when the sun has set. Except for the toilets, Dhanteras ki Katha is spoken, and candles are lit and placed outside each entrance of the house. Some think that the light from the diyas directs the goddess Lakshmi to their residence. The tulsi plant is also revered at night. In addition, the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi are formed using a mixture of vermilion and rice flour, which is another auspicious emblem that brings wealth and prosperity to the home.
Special dishes and prayers for Dhanteras
A well-known meal called naivedya is served to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Several sacred texts make reference to this delicacy, which is made with jaggery and dry coriander seeds. In various regions of North India, whole wheat halwa (Aate ka halwa), in addition to being produced for Naivedya, is also cooked for Goddess Lakshmi.
Another Prashad made for Dhanteras Puja is called Panchamrit. Five ingredients are used to make this cold beverage: milk, sugar, honey, curd, and ghee.