Dhanteras is the first day of the Diwali celebration, which lasts for five days. In Hindi, the suffix 'Teras' is equivalent to the Sanskrit term Trayodashi, which refers to the thirteenth day of the waning phase of the moon. The rituals associated with Dhanteras aim for the household's wealth and the husband's health and long life. Many people do Laxmi puja on Dhanteras day. Dhanteras set the auspicious and celebratory tone for Diwali celebrations.
Story Behind Dhanteras:
Once upon a time, a king named Hima ruled his realm with justice and love as his guiding principles. He had a son, and astrologers foretold that his son would die from a snake bite at sixteen. King Hima's heart was racked by tremendous pain, and he looked for methods to preserve his son's life. He married his kid to a girl with a favourable horoscope on the recommendation of a prominent astrologer. For a few years, the couple was blissfully married. As his son approached his sixteenth year, the king became concerned about his son's imminent death.
According to astrological forecasts, his son will be bitten by a snake when he reaches his sixteenth year. On the boy's sixteenth birthday, the girl devised a brilliant scheme to save her husband's life. She gathered all of her valuables and stacked them in front of the main entrance. She told her husband not to sleep, and she stayed awake all night as well. She sat at the front door, protecting the main entrance.
Lord Yama, the deity of death, appeared in the guise of a serpent in front of the home at the specified hour to take the boy's life. The snake made its way to the front entrance of the house by crawling. The snake was ready to enter the door when the mound of decorations halted it. The decorations were so bright that the snake couldn't see what was going on around it. Throughout the night, the girl continued to sing wonderful tunes. The tunes were so enticing that the snake lingered at the entrance, listening to them. The deadline for killing the youngster had passed, and Lord Yama, in the guise of a serpent, had no choice but to abandon his assignment. As a result, the girl's clever idea saved her husband's life.
This tradition gave rise to the Dhanteras festival, held every year on the same day as Krishna Paksha Trayodashi in the Kartika month, immediately before Diwali. The Hindu concept that Dhanteras is the surest method to attract prosperity into the family and desire the husband's long life has helped keep this holy ritual alive.
Another Story behind Dhanteras:
On this day, Lord Dhanvantari (the God of Medicines) and Devi Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth) are said to have emerged from the ocean bed during Satyug.
The day of Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantri Jayanti, which commemorates the birth of the Ayurvedic God Dhanvantri. Lord Dhanvantari is believed to have appeared at the end of the Sagar Manthan when the Devas and Asuras were churning the sea for immortality nectar (Amrit). The Kalash carrying Amrit was carried by Lord Dhanvantari, who is said to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The mahurat for Dhanteras celebrations and offerings, according to Drik Panchang, is as follows:
6:17 p.m. to 8:11 p.m. Dhanteras Puja Mahurat (1 hour 55 minutes)
Yama Deepam
5:35 p.m. to 8:11 p.m. Pradosh Kaal
6:17 p.m. to 8:12 p.m. Vrishabha Kaal
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