📜 Significance:
Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival. It is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari (the divine physician) and Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), symbolizing health, wealth, and prosperity. In Maharashtra, Dhanteras is an auspicious day for buying gold, silver, utensils, and electronics, believed to bring good luck and future financial security. Homes and workplaces are cleaned and decorated in preparation for welcoming Lakshmi Mata.
It is also an important day for Ayurvedic practitioners, doctors, and health-related businesses, owing to its association with Lord Dhanvantari.
🗓️ When It’s Performed:
- Celebrated on Trayodashi Tithi (13th lunar day of Krishna Paksha) in the month of Kartik (Oct–Nov)
- Pooja is performed in the evening after sunset, during Pradosh Kaal
🛐 Who Can Perform:
- Individuals, families, shop owners, and businesspeople
- Can be done at home, in offices, or shops
- Usually performed by the head of the family or a Panditji if a formal ritual is conducted
📦 Puja Samagri (Items Required):
- Murti/photo of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and/or Kubera
- New utensils or valuables purchased on this day
- Haldi, kumkum, chandan
- Fresh flowers, garlands, mango leaves
- Diya (especially yamadeep made of clay), ghee/oil, agarbatti, camphor
- Coins, rice, betel leaves, supari
- Panchamrit, sweets (especially laddoos, kheer), fruits
- Lakshmi Yantra (optional)
- Rangoli and toran for decoration
🕯️ Main Rituals:
- Cleaning and decorating the home/shop, especially the entrance
- Drawing footprints (paduka) of Goddess Lakshmi with rice flour or rangoli
- Setting up the altar with photos/murtis of Lakshmi, Dhanvantari, and/or Kubera
- Lighting diyas (especially yamadeep to ward off untimely death)
- Offering haldi, kumkum, flowers, sweets, coins, and new purchases to the deity
- Chanting Lakshmi Aarti, Shree Sukta, or Dhanvantari Mantra
- Distributing prasad and lighting lamps throughout the house
⏳ Duration:
30 to 45 minutes (can be extended with mantras and aarti)
🎁 Benefits of Dhanteras Pooja:
- Invokes blessings of wealth, prosperity, and well-being
- Ensures health and longevity through worship of Lord Dhanvantari
- Removes financial obstacles and invites Lakshmi Mata into the home
- Auspicious start to the Diwali festivities
- Brings peace, success, and abundance in business and personal life
