Dhanteras Puja 2024 is one of the most significant days in the Hindu calendar, marking the beginning of the five-day festival of Diwali. Celebrated with grandeur, devotion, and an emphasis on prosperity, Dhanteras is the day when people worship Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi, seeking blessings for health, wealth, and well-being. In 2024, Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 1st, and families across India and the world will gather to observe this auspicious occasion.
What is Dhanteras?
Dhanteras is derived from two Sanskrit words: “Dhan,” meaning wealth, and “Teras,” meaning the thirteenth day. The festival is observed on the 13th day of Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of the moon) in the month of Kartik. It is believed that on this day, Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician and the harbinger of Ayurveda, emerged from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean) holding a pot of Amrit, the nectar of immortality. This marked the beginning of good health and well-being, which is why Lord Dhanvantari is worshipped for health, while Goddess Lakshmi is revered for wealth.
Significance of Dhanteras Puja
Dhanteras is not just about wealth in monetary terms, but it also signifies the wealth of health, prosperity, and happiness. It is a day to clear out negative energies and welcome prosperity into our homes. The festival holds special significance for business owners, who consider it an ideal time to begin new ventures or purchase precious metals and household items.
In 2024, families will perform the Dhanteras Puja with the hope of inviting positivity and abundance into their lives. According to tradition, homes are thoroughly cleaned to ward off evil spirits and are beautifully decorated with rangoli designs and oil lamps (diyas) to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
Dhanteras Puja Muhurat 2024
In 2024, the Dhanteras Puja muhurat (auspicious time for the rituals) will occur in the evening. The exact timing varies depending on the local geography and astrological calculations, but traditionally, the pradosh kaal (the time just after sunset) is considered most suitable for the Lakshmi Puja.
Dhanteras Puja Muhurat in 2024:
Date: Friday, November 1st, 2024
Muhurat Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (IST)
Note: Timings may vary slightly depending on your location. It is always best to consult a local panchang (Hindu calendar) for precise muhurat.
Dhanteras Puja Vidhi (Rituals)
The Dhanteras Puja involves a series of well-structured rituals that honour both Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi. Here is a step-by-step guide to performing the Dhanteras Puja in 2024:
Purification of Space: Before beginning the Puja, it is important to clean the house thoroughly, especially the entrance, as it symbolizes inviting Goddess Lakshmi into the home.
Decorating with Rangoli and Diyas: Rangoli designs are created at the doorstep, and small earthen lamps (diyas) are placed around the house. These lamps are lit in the evening, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.
Preparing the Puja Thali: The Puja Thali should contain all the essential items like rice, turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood paste, flowers, sweets, and a diya. The image or idol of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari should be placed in the centre.
Offering Prayers to Lord Dhanvantari: The Puja begins with the worship of Lord Dhanvantari. Offer flowers, rice, and sweets while reciting the Dhanvantari mantra to seek blessings for good health.
Dhanvantari Mantra:
“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantariye Amritakalasha Hastaya Sarvamaya Vinashanaya Trailokyanathaya Sri Mahavishnave Namah”
Lakshmi Puja: After the Dhanvantari Puja, the focus shifts to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi. Aarti is performed to honour the goddess, followed by offerings of sweets and flowers. The family prays for wealth and prosperity, not just in material terms, but in knowledge and spiritual growth as well.
Placing New Purchases in Puja: It is customary to buy new items such as gold, silver, utensils, or other precious metals on Dhanteras, as it is believed that this will bring good fortune. These items should be placed before the deities during the Puja to seek blessings.
Lighting of Lamps: At the end of the Puja, diyas are lit inside and outside the house. The lighting of lamps is a symbolic gesture that welcomes positivity and drives away negative energies.
Why Buying Gold and Silver on Dhanteras is Auspicious
The tradition of buying gold and silver on Dhanteras is deeply rooted in Hindu beliefs. It is considered auspicious to purchase precious metals because they symbolize wealth and prosperity. In 2024, many families will continue this age-old practice, visiting jewellery shops and markets to make purchases. It is believed that buying these items on Dhanteras brings lasting wealth and protects against future misfortunes.
Gold and silver are not the only things bought on this day. Many people also purchase kitchen utensils and household goods, as these items are seen as blessings that will enhance the family’s prosperity and well-being throughout the year.
Dhanteras and Health: Honoring Lord Dhanvantari
Though most people associate Dhanteras with wealth and material prosperity, the day is also significant for health. Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine and Ayurveda, is revered on this day for his contributions to humanity’s health and longevity. In 2024, we should take time during the Dhanteras Puja to focus on our health, offering prayers for physical well-being and protection against illness.
Lord Dhanvantari is said to have emerged from the cosmic ocean with the Amrit, or nectar of immortality, which symbolizes eternal health and vitality. By worshipping him, we not only seek relief from illnesses but also aspire for a balanced and harmonious life.
How Dhanteras is Celebrated in Different Parts of India
The way Dhanteras is celebrated can vary across regions in India, but the core rituals and practices remain consistent. Here are a few examples of how the festival is observed in different parts of the country:
North India: Families clean and decorate their homes with flowers and lights. Special sweets like besan laddoo and barfi are prepared, and markets are filled with shoppers looking to buy gold, silver, and new utensils.
South India: In states like Tamil Nadu, Dhanteras focuses on health and medicine. Many households offer prayers to Lord Dhanvantari and celebrate by preparing traditional Ayurvedic remedies.
Western India: In Gujarat and Maharashtra, business communities celebrate Dhanteras as an important time to start new ventures. Businessmen offer prayers for success and prosperity in their work.
Conclusion
Dhanteras 2024 promises to be a day of spiritual reflection, festive joy, and a focus on health and wealth. By meticulously following the Dhanteras Puja rituals, families can invite prosperity, health, and happiness into their homes. From offering prayers to Lord Dhanvantari for health to honouring Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, the celebration is a beautiful blend of spiritual and material significance.
