Nowadays, Dhanteras is soaring into popularity even though it comes between Durga Puja and Diwali festivals. The word ‘Dhan’ means wealth and the word ‘Teras’ means Triyadashi or the Aswin Krishna Triyadashi. According to the Hindu Shastra, the devotees pray to goddess Lakshmi for health, wealth and prosperity during this occasion.
In the business community, it is believed that by worshipping goddess Lakshmi during this holy time (purna tithi) all the wishes get fulfilled. The festival is also popular as the Dhanvantari Trayodashi, Choti Diwali and the Yamadeep Dan Utsav. On some parts of the country earthen lamps are lighted and afloat on the rivers. During the last century the word Dhanteras became an inseparable part of our life while in the last few decades it gained more prominence. Whenever we hear the term the image of lighted earthen lamps, jewelries, crowded shops and confectionery items occupy our minds. However, Dhanteras has much more depth and significance than all these. It is celebrated two days before the Diwali festival. First day is perceived as Dhanteras, Yama Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) or Choti Diwali the next day and Badi Diwali or Deepawali on the third day and Govardhan Puja, finally on the fourth day.
Like any other Hindu festival Dhanteras is related to many stories. One famous story is about king Hima’s son. According to the horoscope of the prince he was destined to die on the fourth day of his marriage by a snake bite. So, on the fourth day of his marriage, his wife heaped all her jewelries at the entry door of their bedroom and lighted several earthen lamps. The entire room was dazzling with lights without a dot of darkness. She sat beside her husband and began to recite stories and hymns to her husband. When Yajraj came disguised as a snake he got mesmerized with the environment inside the bedroom. He (disguised as a snake) silently crept at the top of the heap of jewelries and got involved with hearing the stories and songs. At dawn, he went back without doing anything and thus the prince was saved. Since that day it became a ritual to light earthen lamps in honor of Yama – the god of death.
Another popular story is related to Dhanteras. Once Lord Indra was enjoying an elephant ride. Sage Durvasa passing through the way offered the lord with a garland. Indra kept the garland on the elephant. This act made sage Durvasa angry and he ended up cursing lord Indra. When goddess Lakshmi heard the incident, she at once left the heaven. As Lakshmi left the heaven all the wealth and richness of heaven faded away. The gods began to get poorer and weaker in comparison with the demons. Finally, Lord Brihaspati came to Lord Brahma and Vishnu for a workable solution. The only way out was to have a Samudra Manthan so that the gods could drink nectar (Amrita) and become eternal to drive away the demons from the heaven.
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| Goddess Lakshmi |
During Ssamudra Manthan, goddess Lakshmi appeared. Everybody, including the gods and demons tried to please the goddess to have the nectar (Amrita). Then goddess Lakshmi offered a garland to
Lord Vishnu and smiled after looking at Lord Indra. However, the fight between the gods and the demons were still on. Finally, Dhanwantari appeared with nectar (Amrita) and all the gods drank it and became eternal. They won the war against the demon and successfully drove them away from the heaven. This day is known as Trayodashi or the Dhantrayodashi or Dhanteras. Therefore, goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this day.
Houses and shops are decorated on this day with marigold flowers, rangolis, footstep of the goddess are drawn on the floors. Lakshmi Puja is done during the night followed by bhajans. People buy gold and silver coins and utensils for good luck and prosperity.