Dhanteras 2022: Date, Time, Shubh Muhurat, Puja Vidhi, and Significance

Dhanteras is the first day of celebration of the Diwali festival, which is celebrated over five days. The preparation for celebrating these five days of Diwali starts in advance. Plans are made around what to buy on Dhanteras and what kind of vidhis (rituals) to follow. People who live away from their hometowns also search online about how to celebrate this festival. We hope this blog will help bring some clarity on Dhanteras celebrations. The name Dhanteras is derived from two words – Dhan and Teras. Dhan means wealth, and Teras is the thirteenth day of the Krishna Paksha. The festival is traditionally celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashvini. On Dhanteras, people pray for good health, abundant wealth, and prosperity in life.

The festival celebrates lord Dhanvantri. This lord appears in one of the events of Vishnu Purana, where the Devas and the Asuras churn the ocean of milk. The lord appears carrying a pot full of Amrith (nectar - a mixture that promises immortality). Lord Dhanteras is considered to be the healer of all gods.

Dos of Dhanteras Puja Vidhi

Prepare for Dhanteras early on. If you plan to buy expensive items like gold or electronics, it makes sense to start saving for the same from the beginning of the year. 

Start the day early. You can clean the house the day before and prepare things for the aarti and puja, so you can start off bright.

Worshipping cows is considered very sacred on Dhanteras. If you have cow sheds nearby, you can donate money for their fodder or offer bananas or jaggery.

Since Lord Dhanvantri is considered a healer, it is considered an auspicious task to help people with their health needs. You can offer money for people’s treatments or donate medicines.

Offer some prasad to the deity on Dhanteras. It could be a full platter of sweets, savouries, or just some bananas. Make sure there is some offering done, though. Distribute the prasad to neighbours and other family members. This is one of the crucial parts of Dhanteras Puja Vidhi.

Don’ts of Dhanteras Puja Vidhi

The idea behind buying new things on Dhanteras is that it multiplies and brings you good fortune. Therefore, avoid selling things today, especially those with sentimental value. Another one of the Dhanteras Puja Vidhis is to have subtle and pleasing food on this day. Some families choose not to eat spicy or oily foods and stay away from onions and garlic. It is also advised that you stay away from alcohol and tobacco products.

Do not hurt other people’s feelings on this day. Make sure you treat everyone well and have a kind word for one and all. Do not create a negative ambience in the house by fighting or quarrelling. Make sure everyone is happy and content. 

The Story Behind Dhanteras

Dhanteras has an interesting story behind it, due to which people worship Lord Yamaraja on this day. According to popular mythological stories, a king's son's horoscope predicted that he would get bitten by a snake on the 4th day of his marriage and die. However, when the 4th day arrived, his wife ensured he didn't sleep. To keep him awake, she narrated several stories, and to lure the snake away; she laid out ornaments and coins at the entrance. 

It is believed that the Lord of Death arrived as a snake. The ornaments and coins distracted him. The Lord of Death was also intrigued by the wife's stories and thus bared her husband's life. 

Another famous story features Lord Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the physician of Gods. As per the story, when asuras and devas performed the Samudra Manthana (churning of the ocean) for Amrita (the holy nectar of immortality), Dhanvantari emerged carrying a jar of the elixir on Dhanteras.