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What Is Dhanteras and How Is It Celebrated?

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Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is the first day of the five days long Diwali festival. According to a general belief, any addition to ‘Dhan’ or wealth during this day is considered auspicious. The meaning of Dhanteras is puja of wealth on the 13th day (in the Krishna Paksha, dark fortnight), of the month of Ashwin according to the Hindu lunar calendar.

Hindus worship Goddess Lakshmi during this day and practice the custom of purchasing precious things and bringing it home with the belief that Goddess Lakshmi comes home with these precious things. People believe that Dhanteras brings prosperity and good luck in people’s lives.

During this occasion, people get their homes repaired and thoroughly cleaned. They make rangolis, light clay diyas and also practice various other traditions. Many people also make Lakshmi footprints from the entrances of their houses to their pooja rooms believing that Goddess Lakshmi will come home. After sunset, people perform puja and worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha to ask for wisdom, prosperity, wealth and happiness. They offer flowers, sweets, ghee diyas, dhoop and prasadam to the deity. They also light incense sticks and camphor. People chant sacred hymns and sing bhajans to please the Lord. All the house members gather and perform the aarti together. They wear new clothes and jewellery and some also indulge in gambling for good luck.

The Legend Behind the Festival of Dhanteras

There are many mythological stories explaining the significance of Dhanteras according to ancient Hindu texts.

It is believed that the 16-year-old son of King Hima was forecasted that he will be bitten by a snake on the fourth day of his marriage. His life was saved by his wife who was very clever. She did not let him sleep on that day. She placed all her ornaments and coins at the doorstep of her bedroom and lit lamps everywhere. She recited stories to keep her husband awake. When the God of Death, Yama arrived at her doorstep, his eyes dazzled because of the jewellery and the lamps. He sat outside the bedroom entrance listening to her stories and returned in the morning without taking her husband. Since then, this day was celebrated as Dhanteras.

According to another story, the ocean was being churned by Gods and demons to get Amrit or nectar. Goddess Lakshmi emerged out of the ocean carrying a jar of elixir and since then, this day is celebrated as Dhanteras.

The legends might be plenty but the essence of the festival remains the same. The beautiful occasion resonates with hope, happiness, wealth and family bonding. Hindus worship the Lord with the hope of having a better and wealthier future ahead.

Why Do People Buy Precious Metals on Dhanteras?

It is believed that buying new wealth or ‘Dhan’ in the form of gold, silver or any other precious metal is a sign of good luck. In modern times today, this festival has taken a slightly different note. People buy new ornaments, vessels, clothes and cars. They also buy kitchenware during this time. This day is celebrated with the aim of increasing wealth and prosperity.

Essential Vessels Bought on Dhanteras to Welcome Goddess Lakshmi

While not everyone prefers to buy expensive metals, many prefer to buy kitchen vessels instead. Buying these below-mentioned copper vessels marks the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi in the house.

  • Copper Vessels: Copper vessels promote good health. Many people prefer drinking water in copper vessels every morning because water stored in this metal creates a natural purification process. Drinking this water balances the negative energies in our bodies.

  • Puja Thali: A puja thali bought on this day makes your festival even more special. It can be used to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber for offering prasad and bhog.

  • Kadhai: Buying kitchen kadhai is a common trend during Dhanteras. A kadhai or griddle is used to cook various dishes and this is an important item to buy during Dhanteras.

  • Thali: People also invest in fancy crockery and plates during Dhanteras. Steel plates were considered an important household wealth in the olden days.

  • Steel Storage Containers: Steel storage containers are also commonly purchased during Dhanteras when people consider renewing their household items and kitchenware.

List of Things to Buy on Dhanteras from Online Sites

Source aajtak.intoday.in

We know that during the festive season everyone will be super busy in preparation and the shops also will be full of crowds. So why to waste time in going out and wasting time and energy when you can do Dhanteras shopping right from your home without even keeping your steps out. Here we are giving a lot of options from where you can opt for the best thing to buy for you and your family. You can even gift these things to your loved ones or relatives.

Laxmi Pooja Items

Source www.amazon.in

You can buy Vastu items also known as Kuber Dhan Laxmi Yantra for your Dhanteras Pooja at home. Buy this combo deal containing a Laxmi Charan Paduka and Crystal Shri Yantra wish-fulfilling tortoise on plate this Dhanteras. This must-have combo contains all the Vastu items that bring about happiness, wealth and prosperity into your homes. The tortoise will help you gain consistent wealth in your lives. You can also gift this yantra set to your near and dear ones. This combo is priced at Rs.449 and is available at Amazon.

Silver Coin

Source www.igp.com

This Ganesh Lakshmi silver coin is also another perfect buy for Dhanteras. The five grams silver coin is perfect for pooja purposes or to just enhance your silver collection at home. It can also be gifted to relatives and friends during Dhanteras. The coin is made from 99.9 sterling silver and it has a beautiful image of Ganesh and Lakshmi on it. The coin comes in a pretty red velvet box and it features dimensions of 1 x 1 inch. You can get it from igp.com at Rs.560.

Silver Bowl Set

Source www.giftalove.com

This royal pair of silver bowl set comes with two spoons, two bowls and a silver tray. The utensils feature pretty intricate carving. The set comes well packed in an elegant red velvet box which also makes it apt for buying. The silver items are made from high-quality silver metal and when purchased during Dhanteras, these are definitely going to enhance your collection. You can also use these for gifting. Grab this exquisite silver bowl set for Dhanteras from giftalove.com Priced at Rs.540 only, grab the special discounted offer for this festive season.

Gold Plated Hanuman Chalisa

Source www.giftacrossindia.com

This gold-plated Hanuman Chalisa is a totally unique and priceless item you can gift yourself or your loved ones during Dhanteras. These precious buys are things that can be passed on from generations to generations. The Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional and much popular Hindu hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This exclusive book features neatly written texts along with some images. Get this item on Dhanteras to keep in your pooja rooms or office desks, to bring about positive and spiritual vibes. Grab this gold-plated sacred book from giftacrossindia.com for Rs.549 only.

Silver Dry Fruit Container

Source www.fnp.com

This pretty swan-shaped silver dry fruits serving bowl is the perfect gift for yourself or your loved ones on Dhanteras. It comprises of both important elements purchased during this festival – serveware and silver metal. Buy this lovely item that resonates with elegance and royalty. This swan bowl set comes with spoons and dry fruits. It features dimensions of 7 x 3.5 inches. The pack contains 100 gm of cashew nuts and 100 gm of almonds. You can easily get this beautiful bowl from fnp.com at Rs.2,349

Silver Coin Hamper

Source www.gujaratgifts.com

This lovely silver coin hamper contains all the essential things a Dhanteras gift should have. It contains a silver Lakshmi coin, a Ferrero Rocher pack of 4 chocolates and 4 diyas. The coin is worth 10 gm of silver. All the items are beautifully arranged in an elegant box. The diyas are filled with wax and feature an ethnic design. This hamper is a perfect gift for your near and dear ones or you could also bring this hamper home to symbolize the essence of the festival, as it contains precious silver and some sweets, plus diyas to illuminate your homes and lives. Get this set from gujaratgifts.com and the hamper is priced at Rs.2,225.

Silver and Gold Glass Set

Source www.winni.in

As vessels are very auspicious during Dhanteras, this silver and gold-plated glass set will be the perfect buy for Dhanteras. The set contains two glasses and 1 tray. The glass features dimensions of 2.5 x 3.5 inches and the tray size is 9.5 x 5.5 inches. The vessels come packed in a pretty red velvet box. They feature a pretty designs and intricate carving. The glasses are also very durable and can be a good gift for your loved ones. Grab this pack for Rs.1,349 from winni.in.

Puja Thali

Source www.amazon.in

A puja thali forms the quintessential part of any Dhanteras celebration. The set contains silver plated decorative Ganesh Lakshmi embossed thali along with a German Silver coin. The thali set contains 1 silver-plated pooja plate, 1 kalash, 1 bell, 1 deepak, 1 spoon, 1 agarbatti stand and 1 chandan vati. The plate contains all the items needed for a Dhanteras pooja. You can also use this thali for other pooja purposes at home. The silver coin is of 10 gm. The entire set has a traditional appeal. It also is perfect for gifting purposes. Grab this set from Amazon for Rs.799 only.

Kuber Dhan Bhandari Yantra

Source www.flipkart.com

This Kuber Bhandari Yantra set from Flipkart should not be missed at any cost. Grab it for your pooja rooms if you believe in the powers of these tools. Made of brass this toolset is priced at Rs.200 only. The Shri Dhan Lakshmi Kuber Bhandari is believed to bring wealth, money and income as these are miraculous tools dear to the Lords. The kit contains a gold-plated Lakshmi idol, Kuber idol, Shri Yantra, Kuber Yantra, Lakshmi Charan Paduka, Tortoise, Ekakshi Nariyal, Lakshmi Karak Kaudi and a locket of Shri Maha Lakshmi. All these items are made from high-quality gold-plated material which is quite long-lasting. If you worship with great devotion, this tool kit is believed to show results within 7 days. It also boosts up your business and brings about big profits.

Dhan Lakshmi Kalash

Source www.gifts2indiaonline.com

Another lovely Dhanteras gift is this lovely Silver kalash featuring intricate carving. If you are looking to buy real silver precious kalash, then this one is just perfect. The silver weight is 102 gm and the silver purity is 90%. This lovely kalash can be used for pooja purposes during Dhanteras. Hindus generally place water inside the kalash and top it up with a coconut and betel leaves. It is smeared with Kumkum too. It is priced at Rs.8,449 and is available at gifts2indiaonline.com.

Things You Should Not Buy on Dhanteras

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• People abstain from buying glass on this day as it is considered to be linked with Rahu Kaal - inauspicious time.
• Iron is also believed inauspicious during Dhanteras. It is better to buy an iron item a day before the occasion.
• Sharp tools or objects like scissors, knives and such others should be avoided during Dhanteras.
• Some people also believe in stocking up their kitchens with oil and ghee for cooking and lamps so that they don't have to buy these during Dhanteras.
• Any item that is black in colour should be avoided during this day. Black is considered an inauspicious colour and buying black tools, vessels or clothes should be avoided.

To some, these are just superstitions with no scientific proof and for some others, these are beliefs and customs carried forward from generations. They do not mind following these customs or beliefs for just one day. Whether you want to believe in these customs is a matter of personal choice completely.

Like many other Indian festivals, Dhanteras is just another reason to spread happiness and goodwill around. People get together and exchange gifts. They buy new clothes and prepare tasty delicacies. The essence of any festival lies in spreading happiness and Dhanteras gives you just one more reason to do so.

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Celebrate Eco-Friendly Festival with Family

As we all know this is a five days festival and people love to celebrate it with family. Although the festival is very rich in celebration still there are some bad sides too. The festival is about bringing peace happiness and buying things to the home but many people use it to celebrate it with drinking, playing gambling and do fight in their house. People should avoid these things and should celebrate this festival with family and relatives.

People start bursting crakers and from a very long time before the festival and this is very harmful to the environment. We should celebrate the festival with lighting diyas, distributing sweets and happiness. We should try not to destroy mother nature. Burning crackers is fine but everything has some limitations. We should try to celebrate the festival keeping mother nature in mind.