Dhanteras puja time, date, all schedule you need to know

Dhanteras or Dhan Trayodashi is a very popular puja performed in a lot of households one or two days before the main Diwali celebrations. In fact, Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five day long Diwali festival. Also called as festival of wealth, the literal translation of the word Dhanteras consists of the words wealth (Dhan) and the thirteenth day (Trayodashi). Year on year, Dhantrayodashi falls in the month of Kartika on the thirteenth day of the Krishnapaksha (waning phase of moon). The other name of Dhanteras is Lakshmi Puja.

2019 Dhanteras timing

This year, Dhanteras has to be celebrated on October 25, 2019. The most auspicious time for performing Dhanteras puja on this day is Pradosh Kaal or the immediate two hours following the sunset. The best time for Dhanteras puja this year is from 05:38 pm to 08:13 pm.

The essence of Dhanteras puja

During the churning of the ocean by the gods and demons, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the sea with a host of other treasures. It is said the emergence of Lakshmi happened on the dhantrayodashi and hence the Dhanteras puja is performed on this day. It is believed that Lakshmi puja performed on the day of Dhanteras will bring prosperity and wealth into the homes. This puja will invite auspiciousness, hope and wellness into the families. Dhanteras puja also marks a holy and happy beginning of the Diwali festivities over the next five days.

Lighting of Yam Deep

The most auspicious ritual performed on the day of Dhanteras is lighting of Yama Deep. Yama is the god of death. The legend behind Dhanteras says how a chaste woman saved the life of her husband from Yama on this day. The best place to light the Yama Deep is southwest. Lighting of Yama Deep is said to ward off evil and bring happiness, longevity and wellness inside the family.

Shopping on Dhanteras

People buy gold, silver, brass and copper utensils on the day of Dhanteras. Buying vehicles is recommended on Dhanteras, but since it is not advised to buy iron on this day, the billing must be done before the day of Dhanteras and delivery can be taken on this day. Things that must not be bought on Dhanteras include iron objects, sharp objects, and things in black.

Dhanteras puja

People perform Lakshmi puja and Kuber puja on the day of Dhanteras. Especially Dhanteras is very important for the business community for starting new ventures and new accounting procedures. On the day of Dhanteras, perform the puja in the Pradosh Kaal immediately after sunset during the right muhurat. Install the idols of Lakshmi, Kuber and Ganesh on a pedestal covered with red cloth. Install a Kalash or holy pot. The important offerings kept in the puja include gold and silver coins, badasha, peda, sweets, special dishes made at home, betel leaves and nuts, fruits and coconut. Perform holy bath for the idols, chant the mantras, make the offerings and conclude the puja with arati. Gift sweets and money to employees, visitors and the needy people.