Dhan Teres
Raju Nepal
Dhan Treras
Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Tiahr, as celebrated in India and in Nepal.. The festival, known as "Dhanatrayodashi" or "Dhanvantari Trayodashi".The word Dhan means wealth and Teras means 13th day as per Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Kartik.
On Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Dhanteras holds special significance for the business community due to the customary purchases of precious metals on this day.
On Dhanteras, Lakshmi - the Goddess of wealth - is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. It is also the day for celebrating wealth, as the word 'Dhan') In the evening, the lamp is lit and Dhan-Lakshmi is welcomed into the house. Rangoli designs are drawn on pathways including the goddess' footprints to mark the arrival of Lakshmi. Aartis or devotional hymns are sung eulogizing Goddess Lakshmi and sweets and fruits are offered to her. People flock to the jewellers and buy gold or silver jewellery or utensils to venerate the occasion of Dhanteras. Many wear new clothes and wear jewellery as they light the first lamp of Tihar while some engage in a game of gambling.
On the day of Dhanteras, business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with traditional Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small Footprints are drawn with rice Flour and color powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the night.
On Dhanteras 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 "Lakshmi Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny lights of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans", devotional songs in praise of Goddess Lakshmi, are also sung.
History and Legends of Dhanteras
There is an interesting story behind celebrating the Dhanteras festival. It is considered as, once upon a time, King Hima’s sixteen year old son was destined to pass away just by the snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. His wife was very clever and she did not allow her husband to sleep on 4th day of the marriage. She arranges some gold ornaments as well as a lot of silver coins and made a large heap at the doorway of her husband. She also made light with the help of numerous lamps all around the place of his husband.
When the God of death (Yama) came to his husband in the appearance of a snake, his eyes got sightless by the dazzling light of the lamps, silver coins and gold ornaments. So the lord Yama could not get entered into his chamber. Then he tried to ascend on top of the heap and started to listen the harmonious songs of his wife. Early in the morning he had gone away without taking her husband. Therefore the very young and newly married wife had saved her husband life from the death. That’s why, the Dhanteras is also known as the Yamadeepdaan. Diyas or candles are kept blazing during the whole night in respect to the God Yama.
Another myth is, a long ago Gods and demons stirred the ocean to get Amrita or nectar, after many days the Lord Vishnu had came out on the day of Dhanteras having a jar of the elixir.
The shubh muhurat for the Lakshmi puja and Ganesh puja on the day of Dhanteras is: from 7:42 PM to 9:40 PM.