From Its Rituals To Its Timing, Here Is What You Need To Know About Dhanteras 2018

We all know the occasion of Dhanteras and Diwali are approaching. But do we know what the festival truly means and how did it come about? Here is a sum up of the origin of Dhanteras along with the auspicious timing of the puja.

As per Hindu mythology, Lakshmi Puja should be done at the Dhanteras throughout the Pradosh Kaal (best muhurta for Lakshmi puja). Puja can be started after the sunset and end for the next 1 hours and 43 min. The Dhanteras puja is also known as the Dhanwantari Triodasi, Dhanvantri Jayanti Puja, Yamadeep and Dhantrayodashi.

What Is Dhanteras?

During the long Diwali festival celebrations, Dhanteras is the first-day celebration of the five days. The meaning of Dhanteras is the worship of wealth at the 13th dayof the month of Ashvin according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Goddess Lakshmi puja is held at this day and according to the rituals and customs, it is auspicious to purchase precious things and bring it home in the myth of Lakshmi came at home. It brings home a lot of destiny and prosperity.

How Is Dhanteras Celebrated?

People generally get their homes repaired, do thorough cleaning and decorate their houses in and out. They also make rangolis, light candles and diyas. People also put up footprints of the Goddess Lakshmi to come wealth and prosperity to their home. After sunset, people offer puja to the Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh to prosperity, wisdom and well being with rose and marigold offerings along with ghee diya, dhoop, incense, camphor and more. People chant mantras, bhakti songs and arti for the deity.

Dhanteras Puja Muhurta 2018

Puja time is from 6:05 pm to 8:00 pm. The whole duration of puja will be span from 1 Hour and 55 Min.

Dhanteras Stories & Legends

The legend behind celebrating Dhanteras is the story of 16 years old son of the King Hima. He had seen his death by snake bite at the 4th day of his marriage. His wife was very clever and searched the way to save the life of her husband. She had not allowed his husband to sleep on that special day. She had collected lots of her own ornaments and coins of gold and silver and made a heap at the doorway of his bed room and lit lamps everywhere in the room. She recited the stories in order to keep her husband awake.

The God of Death, Yama or Yamaraj had arrived there in the form of Serpent. Suddenly his eyes started dazzling because of the lighting lamps and jewellery. He was unable to enter the room which is the reason why he had to climb through the heap of coins. But after listening to the song of prince’s wife he sat down there for the whole night. And slowly it became morning and he went away without taking her husband. In this way, she had saved the life of her husband. It was this day which was marked as Dhanteras.

Another legend behind celebrating Diwali, the ocean was churned by Gods and demons to get Amrita or nectar. Dhanvantari (known as the physician of Gods and an embodiment of Lord Vishnu) had emerged out with a jar of elixir) from the ocean churning. The same day is celebrated as the Dhanteras.

Read More:Is This Your Gemstone For Dhanteras?

Dhanteras Traditions

According to the Hindu mythology, there are a number of customs and traditions followed by the Hindus during this festival. It is considered auspicious to buy gold or silver coins, jewellery articles, new utensils or other new things. People consider that bringing new things at home is the sign of Lakshmi coming home whole year.

People in villages decorate their cattle and worship as they understand them their major source of income. South Indians offer decorated cows as an embodiment of the Goddess Lakshmi.

In some places, seven cerealslike wheat, gram, barley, urad, moong and masoor dal are worshipped while performing puja. Flowers and sweets are offered during puja to the Mata Lakshmi.

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