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Dhanteras 2024 Date - Importance of Dhanteras Puja Before Diwali Festival

Dhanteras is popularly known as the first day of Diwali festival and marks the beginning of Diwali festival. Dhanteras is the day chosen by many people to make investments in gold or silver. Dhanteras 2024 date is October 29. Special puja and rituals are observed on the day by some communities.


When Is Dhanteras Observed?

It is observed two days before Diwali and falls on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Kartik Month. In Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, the same period is the thirteenth day of Ashwina month.

What is Done on Dhanteras?

A new utensil or gold or silver is bought for the house on the Dhanteras day. Some people also make it a point to make an investment on the day as it is believed that investments made on this day will appreciate.

For those doing business, Dhanteras is the day when new account books are bought and kept ready for the Lakshmi puja on Diwali.

Crackers, candles, diyas, hatri, clays idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi, earthen katoris, kulris, chaugaras, toys and whole lot of other items needed for Diwali are purchased on this day.

Most people also wait for the day to purchase and give away Diwali gifts.

Houses are decorated and special rangolis are drawn on the floor. Small foot prints are made in the houses.

Some people also perform Lakshmi Puja on the day.

Girl Child Born on Dhanteras and Beliefs

Interestingly, a girl child born on Dhanteras day is considered as the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi into the house and is considered lucky by certain communities in North India.

When girls born on Dhanteras get married and leave for her husband’s home, she leaves her footprints on a plate covered with ‘kumkum’ (red powder used in Hindu puja), this is to ensure that Goddess Lakshmi does not leave the house.

Dhanvantari Puja

The day is also dedicated to Dhanvantri, the Hindu God of medicine, and therefore special Dhanvantari Puja is held on the day.

Related
How to Observe Dhanteras?

Other rituals and festivities on Dhanteras day

Dhantrayodashi – Another name of Dhanteras and lighting of lamps for Yama
Yama Panchak – in Nepal
Tihar Festival – Diwali in Nepal begins
Yama Deepdan – Lighting of lamps for Yama
Dhanvantari Jayanti – Appearance day of God Dhanvantari