Dhan Teras

Diwali is not a one-day festival. It is a festival which is celebrated for five days. Diwali festival starts from Dhanteras and ends on the day of Bhai Dooj. Dhanteras is celebrated on Trayodashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month and the festival of Diwali starts from this day. According to Vishnu Purana, Dhanteras is related to Lord Dhanvantari. Dhanvantari appeared during the churning of the ocean (Samudra-manthan). Dhanvantar ji appeared with a pot of nectar in the churning of the ocean, hence buying utensils on this day has special significance. Buying a Kalash on the day of Dhanteras is considered auspicious. Buying gold and silver on this day is very auspicious. According to the Puranas, Dhanvantari ji was absorbed in the penance of Lord Vishnu, hence he is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Moon appears on Sharad Purnima, Kamdhenu cow on Kartik Dwadashi, Dhanvantari on Trayodashi, Goddess Kali Mother (Mata) on Chaturdashi and Goddess Lakshmi ji appeared from the ocean on Amavasya, that is why Dhanteras is celebrated two days before Diwali. Dhanvantari has been described as the physician of the deities, its literal meaning is the divine physician who destroys all diseases. By worshiping him on the day of Dhanteras, all the diseases of the body are destroyed. He is considered the founder of Ayurveda and the deity of medicine. Dhanvantari brings health and prosperity to your life. There is a religious belief that by worshiping Dhanvantari one gets relief from diseases and attains health.

Before worshiping on the day of Dhanteras, it is important to know which deity to worship on this day? What results are obtained by worshiping which deity?

Lakshmi Puja- There is special significance in worshiping Goddess Lakshmi on this day. Mata Lakshmi gives freedom from fear and sorrow. By the grace of Mata Lakshmi, humans get wealth and all kinds of happiness. With the blessings of the deities, one gets a healthy body and a long life. Therefore, Goddess Lakshmi should be worshiped on this day.

Kuber Puja- Worship of Lord Kuber ji on this day has special significance, Kuber ji is the deity of wealth. They destroy demonic powers. Therefore, Lord Kuber is worshiped on this day with the desire to gain wealth.

Dhanvantari Puja- Worshiping Lord Dhanvantari on this day gives special benefits. It is said that buying gold and silver on this day increases the wealth of the house day by day. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari, the father of Ayurveda, appeared from the churning of the ocean with a pot full of nectar. The deities became immortal by consuming the nectar of the Kalash, hence worshiping them on this day brings longevity and health.

Importance of shopping on Dhanteras

Apart from utensils, gold and silver, buying vehicles, land and other household items on Dhanteras is considered auspicious. It is said that the property which is purchased on Dhanteras increased by 13 times. Buying gold, silver and utensils on Dhanteras is equivalent to buying Kuber Yantra. There is a tradition of bringing coriander at home on this day. On the day of Dhanteras, Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber must be worshipped. On the day of Dhanteras, 13 lamps are lit inside and outside the house. Burning the lamp throughout the night increases the physical health of a person.

There are many popular stories regarding the festival of Dhanteras, among them there is one story that is very popular. It is very auspicious to listen to this story on the day of Dhanteras and Diwali-

Story

Once upon a time, Lord Vishnu was coming to roam on earth. Then Mata Lakshmi ji requested to accompany him. She did not agree even after Lord Vishnu Ji refused, then Lord Vishnu Ji said, if you do as I say, I can take you with me. Mata Lakshmi agreed to his request and came to earth with Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu ji told Lakshmi ji, I am going towards the south direction, till I come back you stay here but do not come towards the south direction. Saying this, Lord Vishnu went towards the south. Mata Lakshmi could not understand his mysterious words and despite his refusal, she went towards the south. After walking some distance, she found a mustard field. Seeing that beautiful greenery, Goddess Lakshmi became enchanted adorned herself with mustard flowers and moved ahead. Then on going further, they found a sugarcane field. Mata Lakshmi consumed the sugarcane and then started going ahead, then Lord Vishnu Ji came there and was very angry with the mistake made by Lakshmi ji. Angered, Lord Vishnu ji told Lakshmi ji that you have stolen the crop. Therefore, as punishment, you will have to live in this farmer's house and serve him for 12 years. Saying this, Lord Vishnu went to Kshir-sagar. Mother Lakshmi took the form of a poor woman and went to the house of the farmer from whose field she had consumed the sugarcane. Going there, she asked the farmer to live as a maid in his house - she kept Goddess Lakshmi in her house. As soon as Goddess Lakshmi entered, the prosperity in that farmer's house started doubling during the day and quadrupling during the night. That farmer became very rich. After 12 years, Lord Vishnu went to the same farmer's house to take Goddess Lakshmi but the farmer refused to give her back. The farmer thought that only with the arrival of this goddess had prosperity come to his house. If she goes away I will become poor again. Then Goddess Lakshmi ji said to the farmer and his wife – Tomorrow is Dhanteras. You all worship my idol properly and fill it with money in a pot and I will reside in that pot. That farmer did as per the advice of Goddess Lakshmi. By doing this there was no reduction in his prosperity but he became even wealthier. In this way, whoever listens to the story of the glory of Goddess Lakshmi on the day of Dhanteras, experiences wealth and happiness.