Importance of Dhanteras

Hi to all.

DHANTERAS also known as Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanwantari trayodasi, falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik(Oct-Nov)
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Dhan stands for wealth. On Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped to provide prosperity and well being.

To mark the auspicious day, houses are renovated and decorated.We make colourful and traditional Rangoli designs at the entrance of the house to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
To indicate her long awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour all over the houses.Lamps are kept burning all through the night. Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at -least one or two new utensils. It is believed that new 'Dhan" or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck.
Regardless of what they buy for dhanteras, families still celebrate the festival with gusto and enthusiasm.Lakshmi puja is performed in the evenings with tiny diyas of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. Singing bhajans of goddess lakshmi and naivedya of traditional sweets is offered to the goddess.

The festival of Dhanteras ushers in the festival of Lights-India's most celebrated occassion-----DIWALI.

This year it is celebrated on Nov-7th, two days prior to diwali. As it is the very first day of the five day long festivities, it lends special significance to it. It is an auspicious day in the hindu calender marked to bring eternal good fortune and Dhanteras occurs on the 13th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartik.

On this auspicious day, Hindus follow the tradition of purchasing precious metal ---gold, silver in the form of jewellery, coins or atleast utensils for good luck.

Regards
Sudha Batni....