Dhanteras 2024 marks the beginning of the Diwali festivities and is one of the most auspicious days for worshipping wealth, prosperity, and good health. Also known as Dhantrayodashi, this day is celebrated with great devotion and joy across India. On this day, devotees pray to Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda and health, and Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, seeking their blessings for prosperity, health, and success.
This blog will explore the significance of Dhanteras 2024, the Puja date, timings, rituals, and everything you need to know to make the most of this auspicious occasion.
What is Dhanteras?
Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, is observed on the thirteenth day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. The word “Dhan” means wealth, and “Teras” refers to the 13th day, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. On this day, it is believed that Lord Dhanvantari emerged from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), carrying the nectar of immortality. This day is celebrated as a day to worship wealth, health, and the family’s well-being.
Dhanteras 2024 will be a day of grand celebrations as people engage in traditional rituals, prayers, and the custom of buying precious metals, such as gold, silver, and utensils, to bring luck and abundance into their homes.
Dhanteras 2024: Date and Puja Timings
In 2024, Dhanteras will be observed on Friday, October 29, 2024. It is an ideal day to perform special prayers and rituals to invite prosperity and health into your life.
- Dhanteras 2024 Puja Muhurat (Lakshmi Puja): 06:31 PM to 08:13 PM
(Duration: 1 hour 41 minutes) - Pradosh Kaal: 05:38 PM to 08:13 PM (Duration: 2 hours 33 minutes)
- Vrishabha Kaal: 06:31 PM to 08:27 PM (Duration: 1 hours 55 minutes)
- Trayodashi Tithi Begins: 10:31 AM on October 29, 2024
- Trayodashi Tithi Ends: 01:15 PM on October 30, 2024
It is considered highly auspicious to perform the Dhanteras Puja during the Pradosh Kaal, which falls just after sunset.
Significance of Dhanteras 2024
The festival of Dhanteras 2024 holds immense significance, especially for those who seek prosperity, good fortune, and health. The day is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician and god of Ayurveda, who is believed to bestow health and long life. It is also a day for worshiping Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Kubera, the god of riches.
Here’s why Dhanteras is significant:
- Worship of Wealth and Prosperity: Dhanteras is an ideal day to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, fortune, and success in business. People also worship Lord Kubera on this day, seeking his blessings for financial stability.
- Good Health and Longevity: Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine, is revered on Dhanteras for good health and a long, healthy life. The festival highlights the importance of maintaining good health and well-being.
- Buying Gold, Silver, and Utensils: One of the most popular customs on Dhanteras is purchasing gold, silver, or new utensils. It is believed that buying precious metals on this day brings good fortune and symbolizes prosperity for the year ahead.
- Preparation for Diwali: Dhanteras marks the first day of the five-day Diwali festival. Homes are cleaned and decorated, and the lighting of oil lamps (diyas) marks the welcoming of Goddess Lakshmi and the festive spirit of Diwali.
Rituals and Traditions of Dhanteras 2024
Dhanteras is rich in customs and rituals, which vary from region to region. However, some of the most important Dhanteras 2024 rituals include:
1. Cleaning and Decorating the House
Cleaning the house thoroughly before Dhanteras is believed to purify the home and make it ready to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Many people decorate their homes with rangoli and light oil lamps (diyas) to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. It is also common to place diyas near the entrance of the house to drive away negative energies and bring in positivity.
2. Lakshmi-Kuber Puja
On Dhanteras 2024, worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera is essential to ensure financial success and stability. During the Lakshmi Puja, devotees offer flowers, sweets, fruits, and coins to the deities, reciting mantras and prayers to seek blessings for wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. Kuber Puja is also performed to please Lord Kubera, the god of wealth.
3. Worship of Lord Dhanvantari
Since Dhanteras is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the divine healer, many households also perform prayers to seek his blessings for good health and longevity. It is customary to place an idol or image of Lord Dhanvantari in the Puja room and offer prayers, turmeric, flowers, and water to him.
4. Buying Gold, Silver, and Utensils
Purchasing new items, especially gold, silver, or metal utensils, is considered highly auspicious on Dhanteras. These new items symbolize prosperity and abundance. Many people believe that buying precious metals on Dhanteras will bring wealth and good fortune throughout the year.
5. Lighting Diyas
In the evening, after performing the Puja, devotees light diyas around the house, especially near doorways and windows. The oil lamps are believed to ward off evil and negative energies and invite prosperity into the home. Some households also perform a Yamadeepdan, lighting a diya for Yamraj (the god of death) to seek protection from untimely death and misfortune.
How to Perform the Dhanteras 2024 Puja
Here’s a simple guide to performing the Dhanteras Puja in 2024:
- Clean the House: Clean your home thoroughly to purify the space. Decorate the entrance with rangoli and place diyas around your home.
- Prepare the Puja Thali: Arrange all the items needed for the Puja in a thali, such as flowers, kumkum, turmeric, rice grains, incense sticks, diya, fruits, sweets, and coins. If you have an idol of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, or Lord Dhanvantari, place them on a clean cloth for the Puja.
- Recite the Prayers: Light the diya and incense sticks, and begin the Lakshmi-Kuber Puja. Offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deities while chanting mantras to invoke their blessings for wealth, prosperity, and health.
- Light Diyas: After the Puja, light diyas around the house to bring light and positivity. Offer one diya to Yamraj for protection and well-being.
- Buying Precious Metals: After completing the Puja, purchase gold, silver, or new utensils to bring prosperity and good fortune to your home.
Conclusion
Dhanteras 2024, falling on November 1, 2024, is the perfect time to celebrate wealth, health, and prosperity while preparing for the grand Diwali festival. By performing the Dhanteras Puja with devotion and following the traditional rituals, you can invite Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings into your home, ensuring a year filled with abundance and good fortune.
Don’t forget to make your Dhanteras 2024 even more auspicious by buying new gold, silver, or utensils, and lighting diyas to drive away negativity and welcome positive energy. Celebrate this beautiful festival with love, devotion, and the spirit of prosperity.
