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Festival Profile

Dhanteras

First day of Diwali, worshipping wealth and buying precious metals.

All festivals

Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, is dedicated to wealth and prosperity, when people buy gold, silver or utensils and worship Goddess Lakshmi.

Stories behind the festival

The lamp that saved a life

A prophecy said that King Hima's son would die of a snakebite on the fourth night of his marriage. His wife kept him awake with lamps and placed gold and coins around him. When Yama arrived, the brightness blinded him, and he spared the prince.
Dhanteras legend

The lamp that saved a life

A prophecy said that King Hima's son would die of a snakebite on the fourth night of his marriage. His wife kept him awake with lamps and placed gold and coins around him. When Yama arrived, the brightness blinded him, and he spared the prince.
Dhanteras legend

Why we celebrate

Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, is dedicated to wealth and prosperity, when people buy gold, silver or utensils and worship Goddess Lakshmi.
Diwali regional tradition

When

Dhanteras falls on the thirteenth day (Trayodashi) of the dark fortnight of Kartik.

Since when it is followed

The Dhanvantari and Yamadeep legends place the festival in ancient mythological times.
Puranic legend; regional tradition

Who celebrates / for whom

Celebrated by Hindus across India, especially traders and families.

Origin

The origin is associated with the legend of King Hima's son, whose life was saved by his wife's lamps and jewellery on this day, and with Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods.
Legend of King Hima; Dhanvantari tradition

Key deities

Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari (the physician of the gods).

How to celebrate

Clean and decorate the home, buy gold/silver or utensils, light a Yamadeep (lamp for Yama), and worship Lakshmi-Kubera in the evening.

Rituals & offerings

Lakshmi-Kubera puja, buying precious metal, and lighting the Yamadeep at the door.

Key facts

Dhanteras is also considered the birth day of Lord Dhanvantari.
Regional tradition
Dhanteras is also considered the birth day of Lord Dhanvantari.
Regional tradition