Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, is a significant day that marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations. It is an auspicious occasion for invoking the blessings of prosperity, health, and good fortune from Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari. One of the most important rituals associated with Dhanteras is lighting 13 diyas in and around your home. But have you ever wondered why we light 13 diyas on Dhanteras exactly?
In this blog, we’ll uncover the 13 reasons to light 13 diyas on Dhanteras 2024, highlighting this beautiful tradition’s deep spiritual and astrological significance.
1. Honouring Goddess Lakshmi’s Arrival
The primary reason for lighting diyas on Dhanteras is to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, into your home. Lighting 13 diyas symbolizes a grand invitation for the goddess to enter and bless the household with abundance and happiness.
2. Symbolising the Power of 13
The number 13 holds special significance on Trayodashi, the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight. In Hinduism, 13 is considered auspicious on this day as it represents transformation and a new beginning. Lighting 13 diyas amplifies this transformation by inviting prosperity into your life.
3. Dispelling Darkness and Negative Energies
Diyas are traditionally used to dispel darkness and ward off evil. Lighting 13 diyas on Dhanteras is a powerful way to eliminate negativity from your home and create a positive, welcoming atmosphere for the festival of Diwali.
4. Protection from Yamraj (God of Death)
According to Hindu mythology, Yamraj, the god of death, is honoured on Dhanteras. Lighting 13 diyas, especially outside the home, is believed to protect the household from premature death and misfortune. This tradition is known as Yamadeepdan, which helps protect the family from untimely tragedies.
5. Symbol of Health and Longevity
Dhanteras is also dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda and health. Lighting 13 diyas invokes his blessings for good health and longevity for your loved ones. The light of the diyas represents vitality and life force.
6. Activating Wealth and Prosperity
Each diya lit on Dhanteras symbolises an activation of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that lighting 13 diyas creates an energetic environment that attracts financial abundance and success. Placing diyas in the wealth corner (the southeast corner of your home) can further enhance this effect.
7. Welcoming Good Fortune
The lighting of 13 diyas is seen as a ritual for opening the doors to good fortune. The glowing lights are believed to invite new opportunities, blessings, and prosperity into your life, ensuring a year filled with luck and success.
8. Honouring the Ancestors
Another reason for lighting 13 diyas is to show respect and honour to our ancestors. The diyas are believed to guide the souls of our ancestors, ensuring their peace and contentment in the afterlife while also invoking their blessings for prosperity.
9. Enhancing the Flow of Positive Energy
Astrologically, lighting diyas helps to balance the Vastu energy in the home. The light and warmth generated by the 13 diyas enhance positive energy flow, keeping the atmosphere in your home vibrant, harmonious, and prosperous.
10. Spiritual Cleansing of the Home
Dhanteras is the perfect time to spiritually cleanse your home. The lighting of 13 diyas on this auspicious day is believed to purify the space and clear away any residual negative energy, allowing fresh, positive energy to flow freely into your life.
11. Promoting Peace and Harmony
The gentle glow of 13 diyas symbolises prosperity, peace, and harmony within the family. Lighting diyas together as a family on Dhanteras strengthens bonds and creates an environment of mutual love and respect.
12. Offering Thanks to the Gods
Dhanteras is a day of gratitude, and the lighting of 13 diyas is a symbolic gesture of thanksgiving to the gods for the blessings of health, wealth, and prosperity in your life. Each diya represents an offering of thanks to Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kubera.
13. Preparing for Diwali
Finally, lighting 13 diyas on Dhanteras prepares the household for the Diwali celebrations ahead. The diyas set the tone for the rest of the festive days, symbolizing a prosperous beginning to the festival of lights and attracting positivity throughout Diwali.
How to Light 13 Diyas on Dhanteras
To make the most of this sacred ritual, it’s important to know how and where to place the 13 diyas:
- Main Entrance: Place at least one diya near the main entrance of your home to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
- Corners of Your Home: Light diyas in all four corners of your house to eliminate negativity.
- Puja Room: Light diyas near your deities and in the Puja room to seek divine blessings.
- Balcony or Courtyard: Light diyas outside your balcony or courtyard as part of Yamadeepdan to protect your family from untimely misfortune.
Conclusion
The lighting of 13 diyas on Dhanteras is a tradition rooted in deep spiritual and astrological significance. Whether it’s welcoming Goddess Lakshmi, protecting your family from negative energies, or enhancing the positive flow in your home, each diya plays a crucial role in ensuring that Dhanteras sets the stage for prosperity and happiness in the year ahead.
Make the most of Dhanteras 2024 by lighting 13 diyas in and around your home and inviting wealth, health, and good fortune into your life.
