By Madan Gupta Spatu, Astrologer and Author ; Dhanteras or Dhan Traodshi symbolizes Lord Yama [the god of death ] to provide prosperity and well being. It is also the day for celebrating wealth, as the word Dhan literally means wealth and Teras comes from the Lunar date 13th. People flock to consumer markets, the jewelers and buy gold or silver jewelry or utensils to celebrate the occasion of Dhanteras. The worshipping on Dhanteras should be done in subh muhurt.Dhanterass is advance welcome for Maa Luxmi who will be worshiped on the day of Diwali.
And the Five Days celebrations of Diwali commence on November 9
November -09-Dhanteras, Dhanvantri Day
November -10-Narak Chaudas or Roop Chaturdashi – A day for cleaning home and Beautifying self .
November -11-Diwali-Maha Lakshmi Poojan.
November -12 Annkoot-Goverdhan Pooja.
November-13-Bhaiyya Dooj-Yam Dweetiya-Vishvkarma Day.
November-14- Visarjan Day-Disposing of garbage accumulated during festival.
Significance Of Dhanteras:
Purchasing new gifts, home appliances, household items , gold or silver coins, utensil and jewellery or long term investments in fixed assets is considered auspicious. During Subh Muhurat, Puja is performed and seven cereals are worshipped. seven cereals include wheat, Urad, Moong, gram,barely and Masoor. Golden flowers are used while worshipping Bhagwati. This day, white sweets are used in form of Navedy. Worshipping of goddess Lakshmi is considered favorable on this day.
Dhanwantri [ Lord of medicine ]was born on Dhan Trayodashi. Lord Dhawantri is the doctor of all God. Hence, many new inventions in the field of medical science are started on this day. It is auspicious to buy silver on the day of Dhantares or donate medicines or, help surgery of needy and poor .
Some traditional Tips on Dhan Teras
Remove and sell all unused unserviceable electronic items, rags,old newspapers etc in the morning of Dhanteras.Clean your home or office premises, paint or decorate.
Purchase Gold or Silver items or ornaments or coins or any long lasting household items on Dhan Trayodashi after three hours of Sunset .Never bring any vessel, utensil empty in home. Fill it either with Sweets[unadulterated] ,fruits or dry fruits or flowers.
Replace the old purse or bag and purchase the new one on Dhanteras day.
Write any WISH [ Marriage, Marital Relations, improvement in Strained relationships, Enhancement of Wealth, Comforts , Prosperity , owning home or house ,pending projects etc] on a small plain paper, fold it and place in a small RED envelope [normally which are used to pay Shaguns on auspicious occasions]. Keep this envelope either in your bag or at a place of worship in the home.
Lizards if sighted in home on Dhanteras , is considered a good omen . Prosperity shoots up during the coming year.
Prepare Rangoli on the entrance.Place an earthen lamp filled with mustard oil on a small heap of rice on the entrance of the house . Lit it every evening starting on Dhanteras eve and continue for five consecutive days then on the sixth day either place it under Banyan tree[Peepal] or immerse in a flowing river.
Dhanteras is also celebrated as Dhanvantari Day [ A day to remember Bhagwan Dhanvantri-who discovered medicines. Donate medicines to needy ,if you or any family member is not keeping well since a long time
Donot lend money to any one on Dhanteras, it hardly comes back as per traditional beliefs.
If you purchase vehicle on Dhanteras, write OM or make Swastik emblem ,icon on its bonnet with the mixture of Kumkum and pure ghee. Break open a Water Coconut and distribute its pieces as prashad before you bring out the vehicle from the showroom. [Today some dealers perform this old rituals themselves for their customers ].
Worship your account books,diaries, notes ,copies, stationery, laptop,computer,pens[Kalam Poojan],cash box, lockers machines,weighing scales,calculators or any gadgets concerning the business or service . Tie five coloured cotton thread [called Mauli in religious jargon] to each item and apply tilak of saffron on these items if feasible.