Dhanteras celebrates Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, prosperity, health, and the beginning of Diwali festivities.
Dhanteras, often referred to as Dhantrayodashi, signifies the commencement of Diwali and carries its own special significance. It is a festival of wealth and well-being, reminding participants that wealth is meaningless without health. On this day, people worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari, while also performing rituals to welcome both material wealth and spiritual well-being.
Date and Puja Timings
Dhanteras will be celebrated on October 18, 2025 (Saturday). The festival takes place on the thirteenth day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartika and is the first day of celebrations to mark the five days of Diwali celebrations. The auspicious time for the evening puja in India will be from 7:16 PM to 8:20 PM. Families all over the country will be preparing their homes and hearts to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari on this day.
Significance of Dhanteras
The Dhanteras festival is very important as it encompasses both wealth and health. Mythology states that during the great Samudra Manthan, or churning of the ocean, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, incarnated. On the same day, Lord Dhanvantari (the god of Ayurveda and healing) appeared with the nectar of immortality. This dual connection makes Dhanteras a day not only for prosperity but also for good health and long life.
The name itself encompasses its essence: “Dhan,” meaning wealth, and “Teras,” meaning thirteenth lunar day. These days, we also see worship of Ayurveda on this occasion, with the government recognizing National Ayurveda Day on Dhanteras in years past. However, beginning in 2025, Ayurveda Day will be solidified on September 23 each year moving forward.
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Rituals and Traditions
On Dhanteras, people offer prayers for wealth and prosperity, and good health to both Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari. Homes are scrubbed clean and decorated with colorful rangoli, while diyas (lamps) are lit in the front of the home to brighten the palce and welcome divine energy.
On this day, it is considered highly auspicious to buy new items. This new purchase is often a solid gold piece, and sometimes it can be a silver piece or utensil and would be purchased to represent prosperity and abundance. In modern times, many families choose to extend this tradition to electronic goods, gadgets, or vehicles. New items lead to new luck, growth, etc.
Focus on Health and Wellness
Although Dhanteras is heavily rooted in shopping and wealth, the holiday’s spiritual origins focus on our well-being and longevity. Because of Lord Dhanvantari’s special reverence on this day, many families do pray for good health and a disease-free life. Some families also prepare herbal offerings or conduct small rituals inspired by Ayurveda to honor the connection between health and spirituality.
Alongside the rituals, there are certain customs that people traditionally avoid on Dhanteras. Lending or borrowing money is said to be unlucky on this day, as it would disrupt prosperity. In some regions, people also refrain from buying glass items, considering them unlucky during this time.
Meaning of the Festival
Dhanteras is not just about beginning Diwali shopping; it reminds us that true prosperity lies in balancing wealth with good health. By worshipping Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and Lord Dhanvantari for health, devotees celebrate the idea that true richness in life comes when prosperity and health go hand in hand.
