Dhanteras Puja

Celebration of Dhanteras

Dhanteras Puja

Dhanteras is celebrated on the 13th day of Krishan Paksha in the Kartik month as per Hindu calendar, October November as per Gregorian calendar. Also known as Yamadeepdaan, this festival is celebrated two days before Diwali. Dhanteras marks the beginning of five day festivities of Diwali. After the Samudra Manthan between the gods and demons, Dhanvantari came out of the sea holding the pot of nectar. This is the reason Dhanteras is also called Dhanvantari Jayanti. In the word Dhanteras, Dhan stands for Wealth and Teras for Thirteenth . On this auspicious day of Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped to receive blessings from her. She is prayed so that she showers the devotees with prosperity and well being. Clay idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are bought from the market, decorated and are prayed on the day of Diwali. It is even kept in mind that the trunk of Lord Ganesha is turned towards the right just because it is considered more auspicious.

Method of Performing the Puja

After seeing the star in the evening, women of the house get together for the puja. In many homes, men and women together perform the puja on this auspicious day.

Four wicked diya is placed on the slightly higher podium.

Oil/ghee is put in the diya after placing the cotton wicks in it.

The cowry shell is placed on the diya.

The diya is lit to please Lord Yamraja and to pay respect to the departed ancestors of the family. The diya is thus referred to as Yamadeep.

Some holy water is sprinkled out from the panchapatra copper vessel, around the diya. Then puja is performed using roli, rice and coins.

Many people offer kheel and batasha also. Then dhoop (incense) is lit.

Women as a ritual go round the diya four times and pray.

The eldest women or the unmarried female of the family puts tilak and rice on the forehead of everyone who sits for puja.

The male member of the house covers his head with a piece of clean cloth. He then takes the lit diya and keeps it at the right side of the main entrance.

After the puja ceremony completes, the family members touch the feet of elderly and take blessings from them.