Dhanteras falls two days before Diwali on Trayodashi – the 13th lunar day. On this day, Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Vishnu, the God of health and welfare is worshipped. People buy new clothes, new vessels, gold and silver etc. because this is the day that he arose from the ocean during the famous Samudra Manthan. The word “Dhan” means wealth. Hence goddess Lakshmi is worshiped by performing Laxmi Puja in the evenings and lights are lit.
There is a custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.
A very interesting story about this day is of the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband’s boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs.
When Yama, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince’s chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of “Yamadeepdaan” and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death. God Yama is worshiped on this day to provide prosperity and well being.
In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income.
More details
First Day – Dhanteras
Second Day – Naraka Chaturdasi/Kali Chaudas
Third Day – Diwali
Fourth Day – Vishvakarma Pooja/Govardhan Pooja
Fifth Day – Bhaiya Dooj
The legend of Diwali gambling
Ganesha & Lakshmi mantras for reciting
Ganesha & Lakshmi Stotras for reciting
