This year, Dhanteras falls on October 23, which is Sunday. It is, also known as Dhanatrayodash, one of the most awaited festivals of Hindus. ‘Dhan’ means wealth and ‘teras’ means thirteen. The festival is observed on the 13th day of Krishan Paksha. It is generally celebrated one or two days before Diwali, the festival of lights. On this day people buy jewellery or some other articles to bring home good luck.
On this day, Lord Dhanvantari is worshipped for good health. Lord Dhanvantari emerged during the churning of the ocean, holding a pot full of nectar (Amrit) in one hand and a sacred text about Ayurveda in the other.
On this day, the tradition of worshipping Goddess Laxmi and Lord Kuber is also here. Both are worshipped for wealth and prosperity.
As each and every Hindu festival has a mythological reason behind its celebration, Dhanteras also has a nice legend.
As per astrologers’ divinations, a King’s son would die on the fourth day of his marriage. A snake would bite him. After the prince’s marriage, his wife came to know all about the prediction regarding her husband’s death. She put all her ornaments and coins at the entrance of their room and went on narrating stories to her husband all throughout the night to keep him awake.
The God of death came in the guise of a snake but couldn’t enter the room as He felt getting blind by the glittering of the ornaments and coins. In the morning, He slithered out of the room and thus the life of the prince was spared.
This is the reason why Yamraj is also worshipped on the day of Dhanteras.
It is believed that buying something for the house on Dhanteras day brings good luck. But it is not correct always. You should refrain from buying certain things on this day or else you would have their negative impacts.
Here is the list you should avoid buying on Dhanteras:
-It is believed that ‘Rahu’ is associated with glass. So put off the idea of buying objects made of glass.
-You shouldn’t buy any articles made of iron. Don’t bring iron utensils home either.
-Buying sharp objects like knives on Dhanteras day is considered inauspicious.
-It is considered inauspicious to buy oil on Dhanteras day. So for Diwali, buy oil for lamps before Dhanteras.
-If you need to send money or gifts to someone else, don’t do it on Dhanteras day because it is believed that it would bring bad luck.
-Don’t buy fake gold/imitation ornaments on this auspicious day.
-As black is always associated with inauspiciousness in the Hindu religion, don’t bring home any objects of black colour on this auspicious day.
-If you need to buy an empty iron pitcher on Dhanteras day, first fill it up with some liquid like water and then bring it home.