After celebrating Karwa Chauth on Thursday, the 13th of October 2022, are you waiting with great charm for Diwali's five-day festivities that mark its beginning with the Dhanteras as the first day and ends with the Bhai Dooj? Dhanteras is associated with the celebration of wealth and prosperity. It is marked as the auspicious day for buying gold or silver jewelry, utensils, property, gadgets, automobiles, and many more.
The word Dhanteras comprises two words – Dhan (means wealth) and Teras (means thirteenth day). As per the Hindu Calendar, this festival is celebrated in the month of Ashwin, on the thirteenth lunar day in the Krishna Paksha, which means it is celebrated from mid-October to November. It is also recognized by other names, such as Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanvantari Trayodashi.
When is Dhanteras 2022? – Date, Time, and Muhurta
This year Dhanteras will be celebrated on 23rd October 2022, Sunday. The timing for the Tryodashi Tithi on Dhanteras will begin at 6:02 PM on October 22 and will end at 6:03 PM on October 23. The Shubh Muhurta for Puja is between 5:44 PM and 6:05 PM on October 23.
Dhanteras 2022: Significance and Rituals
Considering the significance, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera, came out of the ocean of milk during the Samundra Manthan, or churning of the sea, on the day of Dhantrayodashi. Therefore, Maa Lakshmi and Lord Kubera (the God of Wealth) are worshipped on this day. As per the legends, when the Samundra Manthan, or churning of the ocean, was performed for Amrita, Dhanvantari, God of Ayurveda, emerged carrying a jar or Kalash of the elixir on this day. That is why the ritual of buying utensils also prevails on this day.
This festival holds great significance for the business community, and people start preparing for this festival one day in advance of the actual day of the festival. People clean and decorate their homes with colorful and creative rangoli, diyas, light, and flowers. In the evening, the entire family comes together for Lakshmi Puja. To worship, a red-colored cloth is put on, and the idols of Mata Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and Lord Kubera are established after sprinkling Gangajal. Then the ghee lamp and incense sticks are lighted, and red-colored flowers are offered. Lakshmi Chalisa, Lakshmi Stotra, and Shri Dhanvatari Stotra are also recited. The delicious sweets are also prepared on this day and offered to God. Then the Prasad is taken with the entire family and distributed among friends and neighbors.
On this festival, there is also a ritual of lighting Yamadeep. To perform this ritual, a diya is lit outside one's home to worship Lord Yama and ward off the evil. As per the genuine astrologer, this festival should be celebrated with great faith and belief to get God’s blessings. We wish you all a Very Happy Dhanteras, and may this festival bring prosperity and wealth to your lives!