One of the most important festivals for Hindusim, Diwali also known as the festival of lights is just around the corner. The festival that is celebrated by Hindus all across the world is in essence a 5 day celebration starting from Dhanteras and culminating into Bhai Dooj. Kickstarting the festivities will be Dhanteras, which will be celebrated on both Thursday and Friday, November 12 and 13 respectively.
Celebrations
The word Dhanteras is derived from two words "Dhan", meaning wealth and "teras" which means 13th. The day hence is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Kartik. The day is considered to be extremely auspicious and it symbolises wealth and prosperity. It is a day marked by cleansing of mind, body, soul and your surroundings so that Goddess Laxmi enters your house and showers her blessings on you. The day is also considered auspicious to start something new in life or buying a house, jewelery, vehicle etc.
Rituals and Puja Vidhi
Traditionally, on Dhanteras people buy gold jewellery or gold coins. However, depending on one's financial capability, one can buy any form of jewelery as desirable. Apart from this, it is also auspicious to buy a new utensil for the house, whether big or small. One should also buy a new set of Ganesh Laxmi on Dhanteras. In the evening, one should pray to the new idols that have been brought and also place the new utensil. One should offer traditional sweets like laddus to Lord Ganesh and light a "chaumukhi" diya, both in the home temple and at the entrance of the house.
Muhurat
The Dhanteras Puja muhurat starts from 9.30 pm on November 12 and lasts till 6 pm on November 13.
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