Hindus across the world celebrate the five-day festival of Diwali, which begins with Dhanteras. Also known as Dhantrayodashi, this day gets its name from the words “Dhan”, which means wealth, and “Trayodashi” or “Teras”, which means the thirteenth day. The festival of Dhanteras is celebrated on the Trayodashi i.e the thirteenth day of Kartik Krishna Paksha. Devotees believe that worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber on this day brings good luck, wealth and prosperity. People also worship Lord Dhanvantari, the Lord of medicines and Lord Yama, the Lord of death on this day. Many people purchase new items for their homes on Dhanteras 2023, such as utensils, silver and gold jewellery, electronic items etc since it symbolizes “Dhan”.

When is Dhanteras in 2023?

In the year 2023, Dhanteras will be celebrated on Friday, November 11.

Dhanteras Puja Muhurat: November 11, 06:20 p.m to 08:20 p.m
Duration: 02 hours 00 mins

Pradosh Kaal: 06:01 p.m to 08:33 p.m
Vrishabha Kaal – 06:20 p.m to 08:20 p.m
Trayodashi Tithi Begins – 12:35 PM on Nov 10, 2023
Trayodashi Tithi Ends – 01:57 PM on Nov 11, 2023

Dhanteras 2023 Puja Vidhi

The Dhanteras puja is conducted in the evening.
Get ready, wear fresh clothes and clean the puja space.
Establish the pictures of Lord Ganesha, Lord Kuber, Lord Dhanvantari and Maa Lakshmi on a platform in the puja place.
First Lord Ganesha is worshipped.
Then anoint the pictures of Lord Dhanvantari, Lord Kuber and Maa Lakshmi with Panchamrit.
Offer oil lamps, incense sticks, fragrant flowers, sweets and fruits to both the deities and pray to Lord Kuber and Maa Lakshmi for the fulfilment of wishes.
Recite any mantra of Lord Kuber 108 times.
Worshipping pen, silver coin or any gold or silver jewellery kept in the house is considered auspicious. Otherwise, any new utensil can also be worshipped.
On the occasion of Dhanteras, it is also customary to light a lamp in the name of Yamdev and keep it on the bank of a holy river or pond.
Worshipping Yamdev removes the fear of premature death. Yamraj is worshipped by lighting a four-faced lamp only.

Why Maa Lakshmi, Kuber and Dhanvantri are worshipped on Dhanteras?

It is believed that on this day Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth along with Lord Dhanvantari, the God of Ayurveda, emerged from the ocean while churning of the milky sea (Samudra Manthan). From then onwards people started offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari to seek their divine blessings for good health, long life, success and prosperity. Lord Kuber is also worshipped on this day for gaining wealth and fulfilment of all wishes. Yamdev is also worshipped on this day to get rid of the fear of premature death.

Why are Gold, Silver and Utensils bought on Dhanteras?

As per Indian folklore, there was once a king named Hima whose son was predicted to die on the fourth day of his marriage. When the day arrived, the god of death Yamraj came to take the king’s son away. However, the king’s daughter-in-law saved her husband by placing a heap of gold jewellery and silver coins along with lots of diyas at the door. The glittering jewellery and bright diyas blinded Yamraj and he returned without the king’s son. Since then, it is believed that buying gold and silver jewellery or new utensils protects against ill will and bad omen and brings luck and prosperity. Buying new things also ensures that there’s a regular flow of wealth in the house for the entire year.

According to another legend, it is believed that when Lord Dhanvantari emerged from the Samudra Manthan, he came out with a pot of nectar in his hand. Therefore, it is auspicious to buy silver or copper utensils on the day of Dhanteras.

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