🪙Dhanteras

About Dhanteras

Dhanteras, also called Dhanatrayodashi, marks the first day of the five-day Diwali festival. The name joins dhan (wealth) with the thirteenth lunar day on which it falls. It honours Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Dhanvantari, the physician-god of Ayurveda who emerged during the churning of the cosmic ocean. The day celebrates both material well-being and good health, and is widely regarded as one of the most auspicious times of the year to begin new ventures.

Across India and among Hindu communities worldwide, families clean and decorate their homes and draw rangoli and small footprints at the threshold to welcome Lakshmi. It is considered especially fortunate to buy gold, silver, new utensils or coins on this day, so markets stay busy late into the evening. In the evening people light the first earthen lamps of Diwali, place a diya outside the door for Yama, and offer prayers to Lakshmi, Kubera and Dhanvantari.

Like most Hindu festivals, Dhanteras follows the lunar calendar, falling on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Kartik, so its Gregorian date shifts a little each year, usually in October or November. The live countdown above always tracks the next Dhanteras so you never have to recalculate it. If you would like the same timer on your own blog or page, you can add this countdown in a few clicks.