Today is Dhanteras, a festival celebrated in the honour of Dhanavantri, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is regarded as the physician of the gods. Also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhan-wantari Triodasi, this festival takes place two days before Diwali. It falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October/November). The celebration derives its name from the Hindi words like dhan which stands for wealth and teras which means thirteenth. Dhanteras is of great importance to the rich trading class.

Festive fervour

On this day people worship the goddess of wealth, Laxmi and pray for their prosperity and well being. People also  renovate and decorate their houses and business premises. The entrances in particular  are made colourful with traditional motifs of rangoli designs to welcome the goddess Laxmi. A puja is performed in the evening when tiny diyas (lamps) made of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.

Silver lining

Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils on this particular day. It is believed that new ‘dhan’ or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck.

These days the exchange of Dhanteras gifts are in vogue. And to make the most of the occasion, special gifts and accessories have flooded the market. One can choose from traditional thali sets, tea sets, elegant candle stands and nut bowls from stores like Magppie and Artd’inox. Intricately designed vases in steel are also available. The Next Shop also has latest Namo range which consists of thalis, diyas, kumkum bowls, agarbatti stands, prashad bowls, aasans and puja ghars.

Go ahead and splurge this Dhanteras.