Celebration Of The Festival Lakshmi-Puja

Dhanteras is also known as Dhantrayodashi, and takes place two days before Diwali, in honour of Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu. Celebrations "Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotiona l songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya. In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In south cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshiped on this day.

The festival of Dhanteras is an auspicious Indian festival that ushers in the celebrations of the Diwali, as the first day of the festivities. God Yama is worshipped on this day to provide prosperity and well being. Traditionally, Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated for five days. Each day is special and has unique connotations, ceremonies and legends associated with it. The every first day of Diwali celebrations is Dhanteras. It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, of the Hindu month of Kartik. On this day, colourful, traditional Rangoli designs welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity in homes and offices. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. Dhanteras is celebrated to seek blessings of Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. “Laxmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny earthern diyas are lit to banish the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotiona l songs- are sung in praise of Goddess Lakshmi. It is also referred to as Dhantrayodashi and Dhanvantari Trayodashi. The ‘Dhan’ in 'Dhanteras' refers to ‘wealth’ and 'teras', to ‘thirteenth’. Here ‘thirteenth’ indicates the day 'Trayodashi' , on which Dhanteras falls. It occurs two days prior to Diwali, in honour of Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu. This day is extremely auspicious to the affluent mercantile community of India. Dhanteras is an auspicious occasion to purchase precious metals like gold, platinum and silver. Believing this day to be auspicious women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. New Dhan or some form of precious metal is bought as a sign of good luck. Today, exchange of Dhanteras gifts is extremely popular. Special gifts for Dhanteras flood the markets.

Dhanteras festival is also considered auspicious for setting up new businesses, commencing new projects, housewarming, fixing wedding dates, buying cars and jewellery.