Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, marks the auspicious beginning of the festival of Diwali. It falls on the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartika. The term combines the Sanskrit words Dhan (wealth) and Teras (thirteenth), reflecting its association with prosperity and auspicious beginnings.
On this day, devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, the harbinger of fortune, and Lord Dhanvantari, the celestial physician regarded as the god of Ayurveda. According to the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Cosmic Ocean) legend, both Dhanvantari and Lakshmi emerged from the ocean—Dhanvantari carrying the pot of Amrit (nectar of immortality), and Lakshmi, the embodiment of divine wealth and beauty, later becoming the consort of Lord Vishnu. Together, their emergence signifies that true prosperity is complete only when wealth and health coexist in harmony.
Among the most popular legends tied to this day is that of King Hima’s son, whose horoscope predicted death by a snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage. His clever wife prevented this by lighting countless diyas (lamps) and piling gold and silver ornaments at the doorway. When Yama, the god of death, arrived in the form of a serpent, he was dazzled by the glow of the lamps and precious metals. Enchanted by the young woman’s melodious songs, he lingered outside all night, missing the fated hour. Thus, the prince was saved, and the ritual of lighting lamps to honor Yama (known as Yamadeepam) became part of the Dhanteras tradition.
Dhanteras holds deep symbolic meaning. The age-old custom of buying gold or silver on this day stems from the belief that metals embody divine and cosmic energies. In Sanātana Dharma, precious metals are seen as carriers of divine energy that invite prosperity, harmony, and balance into one’s life. Gold, considered an embodiment of sunlight and linked to Goddess Lakshmi, represents purity, brilliance, and the power to attract abundance. Silver, associated with Chandra (the moon god), symbolizes calmness, reflection, and emotional stability. Together, they symbolize the harmony of solar and lunar energies, reminding devotees that prosperity flows best when inner and outer worlds are in balance.
Beyond faith, rituals and riches, Dhanteras reminds us that true wealth lies not only in materialistic possessions but in health, and harmony. It is a celebration of gratitude for the body that sustains us, the home that shelters us, and the light that guides us through darkness.
