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II Dhanteras
: The First Day of Diwali FestivalII
The festival of
Dhanteras is also known by the names of Dhantrayodashi
and Dhanvantari Trayodashi.
Dhan Teras falls on the thirteenth day of the dark
fortnight in the month of Kartik (October-November), i.e. two days
before Diwali. It is the festival that marks the
beginning of the diwali celebrations and therefore it is
considered the first day of five days long festivities of diwali.
Dhanteras is celebrated to seek blessings of Goddess Laxmi, the
goddess of wealth. In the amalgamation of Dhan teras 'Dhan' means
wealth. God Yama is also worshiped on this day to provide
prosperity and well being.
Celebration :
On this day, houses
and business centers are renovated and rangoli designs to welcome
the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited
arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion
powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the
nights.
Being a day dedicated
to the festival of wealth, on this people purchase a new utensil,
silver or gold coin or some other precious metal as a sign of good
luck on the day of dhanteras. This is also a tradition related
with celebrations of the festival of Dhanvantari Trayodashi.
Dhanteras festival is ideal time for setting up businesses,
commencing new projects, housewarming, deciding wedding dates,
buying cars and jewellery.
"Lakshmi-Puja" is
performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to
drive away the shadows of evil spirits.
Prayers to Goddess
Laxmi :
Legends :
The story of Yamadeedaan:
The legend behind Dhanteras is
centred on the sixteen-year-old son of King Hima. As per his
horoscope he was fated to breathe his last on the fourth day of
his marriage owing to snakebite. On the appointed day his wife
illuminated the house with numerous lamps and placed a heap of
gold and silver coins and ornaments in front of their bedroom.
All through the night she sang songs and told stories.
The lights of the lamps, and the dazzle of the coins and
ornaments blinded the god of death, Yam devta, who had come as a
serpent. He spent the entire night in the heap listening to the
sweet sounding songs before leaving peacefully the next morning.
Thus, the wife succeeded in saving the life of her husband. This
explains, why the Dhan teras festival is also referred to as "Yamadeepdaan".
The Story of Samudramanthan:
The legend of Samudramanthan is at
the heart of these celebrations. According to this story, when
the gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrut or nectar,
Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of
Vishnu emerged carrying a jar of the elixir.
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