Dhanteras

Dhanteras, also known as Dhanatrayodashi marks the first day of the five day Diwali festival. The word comes from Dhan meaning wealth and Teras meaning the thirteenth day. It falls on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartika.

On this day, people honor Dhanvantari, the divine physician who appeared from the churning of the ocean holding a pot of nectar. He is regarded as the god of Ayurveda and health. This is why Dhanteras is not only about gold and silver but also about wishing for good health and a long life.

Dhanvantari

During the great event of Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the ocean, many treasures appeared from the cosmic sea. Among them was Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Kubera, the god who guards all riches in the universe. From that moment, both came to be worshipped together as symbols of abundance and fortune.

People buy new utensils, gold, silver, or even gadgets, believing that such purchases invite prosperity. Homes are cleaned and decorated, and lamps are lit to welcome abundance.

Do you know why Yama is worshipped on Dhanteras

There is a beautiful story behind it. Long ago, there was a young prince named Hima. When he was born, the astrologers said that he was destined to die on the fourth night after his marriage, bitten by a snake sent by Yama, the god of death.

On that night, Hima’s wife decided she would not let that fate come true. She gathered all her gold ornaments and silver coins and placed them in a pile at the entrance of their room. Then she lit dozens of lamps and sat near the door, singing and telling stories to keep her husband awake.

When Yama arrived in the form of a serpent, the glow of the lamps and the shine of the gold were so bright that he could not see clearly. The light blinded him, and he could not enter the room. He sat quietly near the doorway, listening to her songs, and left peacefully when morning came.

From that day, people began to light lamps in the evening of Dhanteras as a sign of respect to Yama. This act is called Yamadeep Daan, which means the offering of light to Yama.

Lighting this lamp is not done out of fear. It is a reminder that life is sacred and that light always protects against darkness. It also expresses gratitude to Yama for giving us time, health, and the balance of life and death.

So on Dhanteras, when we light that one small lamp outside the house, it is a way of saying, “May our homes be filled with light, may our lives be long and peaceful, and may darkness never cross our door.”