Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is an auspicious festival that celebrates prosperity and wealth. This festival marks the beginning of the Diwali festival. The term Dhanteras is also called Dhanvantari Trayodashi with “Dhana” meaning wealth or money and “Teras” meaning thirteen, as it is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the Kartik month according to the Hindu calendar. Dhanteras 2024 will be celebrated on 29 October. Check the Dhanteras 2024 date, Puja muhurat, significance, history, celebrations, rituals, popular places, traditions, wishes and What to Buy.
What is Dhanteras?
Dhanteras is celebrated on the first day of the five-day-long festival of Diwali. This day is celebrated as the day for prosperity. According to the traditions, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber are worshipped with Dhanteras mantra for wealth and prosperity.
When is Dhanteras 2024?
Dhanteras 2024 date is 29 October. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Kartika.
Dhanteras Muhurat 2024
Dhanteras 2024 Muhurat is 06:55 PM to 08:22 PM on 29 October.
- Pradosh Kaal – 05:54 PM to 08:22 PM
- Vrishabha Kaal – 06:55 PM to 08:57 PM
- Trayodashi Tithi Begins – 10:31 AM on Oct 29, 2024
- Trayodashi Tithi Ends – 01:15 PM on Oct 30, 2024
History of Dhanteras
Dhanteras 2024
There are many legends related to the festival of Dhanteras Puja. Some of the popular stories are:
Story of Dhanvantari
Lord Dhanvantari is considered to be the Father of Ayurveda. He is the divine physician and the god of health and medicine. Lord Dhanvantari first appeared during the great Samundra Manthan (churning of the ocean) carrying the elixir of life. All the gods distributed the elixir among themselves provided by the Lord Dhanvantari.
Story of Goddess Lakshmi
According to the legends, Goddess Lakshmi once insisted on accompanying Lord Vishnu on one of his visits to the earth. Lord Vishnu agreed but on the condition that she would not be smitten by earthly temptations and would not look in the south direction. Goddess Lakshmi agreed to this condition of Lord Vishnu.
However, during their visit to the earth, Goddess Lakshmi got tempted to look in the south direction. When she was not able to resist her urge she started moving in the southern direction, where she was mesmerized by the beauty of the earth. When Lord Vishnu saw that Goddess Lakshmi had broken her pledge, he got annoyed and asked her to serve a poor farmer in his field for twelve years.
The poor farmer became prosperous and wealthy overnight with the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi. When twelve years passed, Lord Vishnu came to the earth as an ordinary man to take Goddess Lakshmi back, the farmer refused to relieve Goddess Lakshmi from his services.
When all attempts by Lord Vishnu failed, Goddess Lakshmi revealed her true identity to the farmer and told him that she could not stay any longer on the earth and needed to go back to heaven. Goddess Lakshmi promised the farmer that she would visit him every year during the night of Trayodashi before Diwali. The farmer started preparing every year to welcome Goddess Lakshmi on Triyodashi before Diwali. The farmer gradually becomes more prosperous and wealthy year by year.
Story of Yama
According to the legends, there was a young King named Hima. According to his horoscope, on the fourth day of his marriage, he was destined to die from a snake bite. His wife kept King Hima awake on the fourth night of the marriage and didn’t allow him to rest. She put the bunches of gold and silver coins in a pile in the passage of her bedroom and lit endless lights everywhere. She started reciting stories and singing tunes. When the god of death, Yamaraj, came in the form of a serpent, his eyes were blinded by the light’s brightness and was not able to enter the King’s chamber. So, he got over the mountain of coins and sat listening to the sweet melodies the entire night. As the night gave way to dawn, Lord Yama had no choice but to leave and King Hima’s life was saved by his devoted wife. From that point forward, this day of Dhanteras became known as the day of “YAMADEEPDAAN”, and lights continued lit for the duration of the night.
Why does Dhanteras come near Diwali and Bhai Dooj?
Dhanteras is celebrated in the month of Kartika according to the Hindu calendar. As per the legends, Goddess Lakshmi visits the earth in the month of Kartika, so Dhanteras is celebrated during that month for wealth and prosperity. Diwali and Bhai Dooj are also celebrated in the month of Kartika due to the same reasons as Dhanteras.
Significance of Dhanteras
Dhanteras is a festival of prosperity and wealth. On this day, devotees seek the blessings of Lord Dhanvantri (Father of Ayurveda) and Goddess Lakshmi (symbol of prosperity and wealth) for a healthy and happy life.
People clean their houses on this day as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi enters only a clean house. People worship the Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kuber, and Lord Dhanvantri on this day, to bring good wealth, health, and happiness.
Celebrations of Dhanteras 2024
Dhanteras is celebrated on the first day of the five-day-long festival of Diwali. People believe it brings good luck and wealth to them. On this day, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber according to the Dhanteras Puja Vidhi and wish for a wealthy life. The celebrations include making Dhanteras rangoli, wearing new clothes and greeting each other with Happy Dhanteras.
Dhanteras 2024 Traditions and Rituals
Dhanteras meaning is to bring prosperity and wealth into life, people celebrate this festival with great joy. Some of the famous traditions and rituals are:
- Worshipping Lord Kuber, Goddess Lakshmi and Gaumata (cows) is considered very sacred if it is completed according to the Dhanteras Puja time.
- People worship their place of work, shops and farmers worship their cattle.
- People lit a diya called ‘Yamadeep’ in the evening for the god of death, Yamaraj.
- Cleaning houses, making Dhanteras rangolis, and wearing new clothes are some of the common traditions of the festival.
What to buy on Dhanteras 2024?
Dhanteras is the festival of purchasing new things. Some of the things that are considered to be auspicious are:
- Dhanteras is considered to be extremely auspicious for purchasing gold and silver. The purchase of utensils made of copper, steel, and brass is also valued on this day.
- Purchasing new electronic items like laptops, phones, televisions, refrigerators, etc. is also considered lucky on this day.
- People also purchase broom on Dhanteras as it symbolize Goddess Lakshmi.
Popular Places to Purchase Gold and Silver on Dhanteras 2024
1. Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad has many options to offer when it comes to gold shopping. You can find many varieties like lightweight jewellery, diamond showrooms, and ethnic gold collections.
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Ahmedabad
2. Mumbai: Mumbai has its own jewellery spot, Zaveri Bazaar. The place also has big stores by some of the biggest jewellery brands in India.
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Mumbai
3. Delhi: Old Delhi is famous for the gold and silver markets with unique designs and varieties. There are many branded and local stores which offer something for everyone. People rush into the markets on the day of Dhanteras to buy traditional jewellery.
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Delhi
Dhanteras Wishes
People wear new clothes and greet each other with Dhanteras wishes. Some of the famous Dhanteras greetings are:
- May the Goddess Lakshmi bless your business to do well despite all odds like the enduring charms of gold and diamonds. Happy Dhanteras!
- On the auspicious day of Dhanteras Puja, Hindus follow the tradition of purchasing precious metals gold, platinum or silver, in the form of jewellery coins or utensils, for good luck. Happy Dhanteras 2024.
- May the Dhanteras Celebrations endow you with opulence and prosperity. May happiness come in your steps easily. Wishing you many bright futures in your life. Shubh Dhanteras!
- May this Dhanteras Light up new dreams, fresh hopes, undiscovered avenues, and different perspectives, everything bright & beautiful and fill your days with pleasant surprises and moments. Happy Dhanteras 2024 to you and your family.
- May your life remain colourful like a Dhanteras rangoli.
- On this auspicious Dhanteras festival, may your life: shimmer with silver; shine with gold, and dazzle like platinum! Happy Dhanteras 2024!
- May the blessings of Maa Laxmi be always there for you and your loved ones….. May the festival of Dhanteras bring prosperity to your life.
- On this auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, may there be an abundant shower of wealth in your life and may the light of success cover your life beautifully. Happy Dhanteras!
Other Festivals in India with Holiday Type
| Festivals in India | Day | Date | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Mon | 01-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Lohri | Sat | 13-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Makar Sankranti | Sun | 14-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Pongal | Mon | 15-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | Wed | 17-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Republic Day | Fri | 26-Jan | Gazetted Holiday |
| Losar | Sat | 10-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Basant Panchmi | Wed | 14-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Ravidas Jayanti | Sat | 24-Feb | Gazetted Holiday |
| Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Wed | 6-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Mahashivratri | Fri | 8-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Holi | Mon | 25-March | Gazetted Holiday |
| Good Friday | Fri | 29-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Easter Day | Sun | 31-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Gudi Padwa | Tue | 9-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | Wed | 10-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Vaisakhi (Vishu) | Sat | 13-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Rama Navami | Wed | 17-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Sun | 21-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Rabindra Jayanti | Wed | 8-May | Restricted Holiday |
| Buddha Purnima (Vesak) | Thu | 23-May | Gazetted Holiday |
| Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | Mon | 17-Jun | Restricted Holiday |
| Rath Yatra | Sun | 7-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Muharram (Ashura) | Wed | 17-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Independence Day | Thu | 15-Aug | Gazetted Holiday |
| Parsi New Year’s Day (Nauraz) | Thu | 15-Aug | Public Holiday |
| Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) | Mon | 19-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Janmashtami | Mon | 26-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Sat | 7-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Onam | Sun | 15-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e- Milad | Mon | 16-Sep | Gazetted Holiday |
| Gandhi Jayanti | Wed | 02-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dussehra | Sat | 12-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Valmiki Jayanti | Thu | 17-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Karva Chauth | Sun | 20-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dhanteras | Tue | 29-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Diwali | Thu | 31-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Kali Puja | Thu | 31-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Lakshmi Puja | Thu | 31-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Halloween Day | Thu | 31-Oct | No Holiday |
| Karnataka Rajyotsava | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Kerala Piravi | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Govardhan Puja | Sat | 2-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Bhai Dooj | Sun | 3-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Chhath Puja | Thu | 7-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Fri | 15-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Christmas | Wed | 25-Dec | Public Holiday |
FAQs
Q. What are the things not to buy and what to buy on Dhanteras?
A. Some of the things that are not recommended to purchase on Dhanteras are sharp objects, plastic and glass products, non-vegetarian items, and alcoholic beverages. Silver and gold are the most auspicious items to be purchased on Dhanteras.
Q. Is there any public holiday on Dhanteras?
A. No, Dhanteras is an optional holiday.
Q. What is good luck for Dhanteras?
A. Purchasing the idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi is considered good luck on Dhanteras.
Q. What is Dhanteras 2024 date and time?
A. Dhanteras 2024 date is 29 October and the time of puja is 06:55 PM to 08:22 PM.
Q. What colour to wear on Dhanteras?
A. Red, pink, and green colours are considered auspicious on Dhanteras.
Q. Should we give money on Dhanteras?
A. The lending of money should be avoided on the day of Dhanteras as it is the day of purchasing new things.
