Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi)

Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, marks the first day of the Diwali festival in India. It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin as per the Hindu calendar. The festival is dedicated to (i) Goddess Lakshmi – the deity of wealth and prosperity (ii) Lord Dhanvantari – the divine physician and the father of Ayurveda (iii) Lord Ganesha – the remover of obstacles. Traditionally, Gujarati communities celebrate their New Year around this time with festive dishes like dal baath and malpua.

🌟 Significance of Dhanteras

According to Hindu scriptures, during the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), on the Trayodashi tithi:

Goddess Lakshmi arose from the ocean of milk.

Lord Dhanvantari, an avatar of Vishnu, emerged holding the sacred pot of Amrit (nectar of immortality).

Hence, Dhanteras is celebrated as a day of:

Wealth

Healing

Good fortune

Divine blessings

Abundance

People believe that purchasing gold, silver, utensils, or valuable items on Dhanteras attracts luck and prosperity into their homes.

🕉 Deity Worshipped

Goddess Lakshmi

Lord Dhanvantari

Lord Ganesha

Lord Kuber (associated with wealth)

🙏 Dhanteras Rituals (Puja & Vrat)

Lakshmi Puja in the Evening

Homes are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with rangoli and lamps.

A diya made of clay is lit to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.

Devotees offer:

Flowers

Ghee diya

Dhoop & incense

Sweets

Rice & coconut

Marigold and rose petals

Bhajans, mantras, and Lakshmi Aarti are sung, and naivedya is offered to the deity.

Special Maharashtra Tradition

In Maharashtra, families prepare a special naivedya of:

Dry coriander seeds (dhane) mixed with

Jaggery
This mixture is known as Dhanatrayodashi prasadam.

Offering Wealth & Health Prayers

People pray to:

Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity

Lord Ganesha for wisdom & obstacle removal

Lord Dhanvantari for good health

Lord Kuber for abundance and success

🎉 Celebrations & Cultural Importance

Dhanteras is widely celebrated across India, especially in:

North India

Gujarat

Maharashtra

Highlights include:

Buying gold, silver, coins, jewellery, and utensils

Lighting diyas to banish negativity

Preparing special sweets and dishes

Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and auspiciousness

According to spiritual traditions, the sun’s divine energy flows through Lakshmi’s Surya Nadi, spreading golden “Tej-Tattva” (fiery essence) throughout the universe. These energy particles are believed to bring:

Wealth

Positivity

Divine radiance

Wisdom & spiritual power

It is said that on this day, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber enter homes that are clean, illuminated, and filled with devotion.

🎁 Gifts for Dhanteras

Popular gifting options include:

Gold coins

Silver coins

Utensils

Jewellery

Puja thalis

Decorative items

🌍 Regional Traditions

South India (Tamil Nadu)

Women prepare Marundhu (medicinal paste) on Dhanvantari Trayodashi for health and balance. It is consumed early morning on Naraka Chaturdashi to maintain the body’s tridosha harmony.

Western India (Gujarat)

Families celebrate their New Year with special meals and family gatherings.

North India

Markets are crowded with people purchasing gold and utensils, believed to bring prosperity.

🍛 How to Celebrate Dhanteras

Clean and decorate the home

Create rangoli designs

Light diyas inside and outside the house

Perform Lakshmi-Ganesha-Dhanvantari Puja in the evening

Buy gold, silver, or utensils

Offer sweets and flowers

Chant mantras and devotional songs

Light lamps at the entrance to invite prosperity

📅 Date & Time of Dhanteras 2026

Dhanteras is celebrated on:

Trayodashi of Krishna Paksha

In the month of Ashwin

This is the first day of the Diwali festival.
2026 Date - Friday, November 6, 2026

🏛 Public Holiday
Dhanteras is observed as a public or restricted holiday in several states, especially where Diwali is widely celebrated.