With the onset of Diwali which is a five day festival, the markets are all ready with various offers and varieties to attract the customers. The festive season starts with Dhanteras also known as Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanatrayodashi or Yamadeepdaan Trayodashi and it comes two days before the Diwali. It falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha (Fading Moon) in the Hindu month of Kartik.

The word “Dhan” means wealth. On this day, the “Owl” vehicle of the Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide wealth, prosperity and well being.

Dhanteras is celebrated in honour of Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu who emerged on the earth after devils and gods churned the ocean to get the nectar. The mythological story says that Dhanvantri emerged with knowledge of Ayurveda as Heath is considered to be the biggest wealth. Therefore, Dhanteras; the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanvantri is celebrated before worshipping goddess of wealth; Laxmi. [Read more...]