Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali festivities and is a day when people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. It’s considered an auspicious day for making new beginnings, buying gold and silver, new utensils, and other household items. Dhanteras is celebrated on the 13th lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin or Kartika.
In addition to its significance for Diwali, Dhanteras is also observed as Dhanvantari Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the God of Ayurveda, Lord Dhanvantari. He is believed to have been born during the churning of the milk ocean with a pot full of amrita (immortality nectar) in one hand and Ayurveda in the other. Lord Dhanvantari is considered the Hindu God of health, healing, and Ayurvedic medicine, and his role was to spread the knowledge of Ayurveda to the world. Dhanteras is also celebrated as National Ayurveda Day.
Dhanteras 2023 will be observed on November 10, followed by Narak Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali on November 11, Deepawali or Diwali and Lakshmi Puja on November 12, Govardhan Puja on November 13, and Bhaiya Dooj on November 14.
The auspicious time for Dhanteras puja in 2023 is from 5:47 pm to 7:43 pm, lasting for nearly 2 hours. During the puja, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Dhanvantari, and Lord Kubera are worshipped, and various offerings like flowers, garlands, and prasad can be made to the deities. Three forms of Goddess Lakshmi – Goddess MahaLakshmi, Maha Kaali, and Goddess Saraswati – are also worshipped during the celebration.
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