🪔 Dhanteras Pooja
(Pooja for Wealth, Health, and Prosperity)
🌟 Introduction:
Dhanteras, observed on the 13th day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartika, marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations. It is a day to worship Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician and incarnation of Lord Vishnu, along with Goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of wealth and fortune.
The word “Dhan” means wealth and “Teras” means the thirteenth day. On this auspicious day, devotees pray for financial well-being, good health, and spiritual richness.
It is also considered highly auspicious to buy gold, silver, kitchen utensils, and electronics on this day, symbolizing the welcoming of wealth and abundance into one’s life.
🪄 Spiritual Significance:
- Lord Dhanvantari emerged from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan holding a pot of amrit (nectar), symbolizing immortality and good health.
- Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped to invite prosperity, fortune, and material success into homes.
- Lighting lamps on this day is said to ward off untimely death, disease, and negative energy.
🎯 Purpose of Dhanteras Pooja:
- To invite the divine energies of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari for abundance
- To protect the family from illness, poverty, and misfortune
- To purify the home and mind in preparation for Diwali and Lakshmi Pooja
- To express gratitude for the blessings received and pray for financial wisdom
🛕 Dhanteras Pooja Vidhi (Ritual Procedure)
🌅 1. Preparations Before Sunset:
- Clean the home thoroughly, especially the entrance and pooja area.
- Draw rangoli with vibrant colors and place small footprints of Goddess Lakshmi coming into the home.
- Decorate the home with flowers, oil lamps (diyas), and lights.
🪔 2. Pooja Altar Setup:
- Place idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and Lord Kubera.
- Arrange items like:
- New utensils or gold/silver items purchased for the day
- Flowers, kumkum, turmeric, betel leaves, rice, sweets, coins
- A small earthen lamp filled with ghee or oil
🙏 3. Sankalp (Sacred Intention):
With folded hands and pure heart, take a vow:
“On this sacred day of Dhanteras, I perform this Pooja to seek blessings of wealth, good health, and divine grace. May Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari bless our home with prosperity and happiness.”
🛐 4. Invocation and Offerings:
- Begin by offering flowers, turmeric, kumkum, and akshata (rice) to the deities.
- Light the lamp and incense sticks.
- Offer naivedyam (sweets and fruits).
🔱 Mantras and Chants:
To Goddess Lakshmi:
“Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah” (108 times)
To Lord Dhanvantari:
“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye Amritakalasha Hastaaya Sarva Bhaya Vinashaya Sarva Roga Nivaranaya Trilokya Pathaye Trilokya Nidhaye Sri Maha Vishnave Namah”
You may also chant or listen to Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali, Kanakadhara Stotram, or Dhanvantari Stotram.
📿 5. Deepa Daan (Lamp Offering):
- Light 13 earthen diyas (lamps) and place them at the entrance, near the Tulsi plant, and in all rooms.
- This signifies light dispelling darkness, a symbol of spiritual and material upliftment.
🎁 6. Charity and Kindness:
- Offer food, clothes, or money to those in need.
- Donate for medical care or support someone’s healing — a powerful gesture to honor Lord Dhanvantari.
🌈 7. Family Meal and Aarti:
- Share a festive meal with family.
- Conclude the Pooja with Lakshmi Aarti:
“Om Jai Lakshmi Mata…”
- Pray for family’s unity, protection, and growth.
✨ Benefits of Dhanteras Pooja:
- Attracts wealth and financial stability
- Promotes health, healing, and longevity
- Creates an aura of positivity and protection in the home
- Strengthens connection with divine energies of Lakshmi, Dhanvantari, and Kubera
🕊️ Conclusion:
Dhanteras Pooja is a sacred beginning to the five-day Diwali celebration. It is a call to the universe to shower us with abundance, vitality, and spiritual light. By performing this pooja with sincerity, one steps into a realm of conscious wealth and divine harmony.
Let your home shine with the light of wisdom and your heart glow with the radiance of faith.
