Importance and Significance of Dhanteras

The word 'Dhanteras' can be divided into two. In Hindi, the word 'Dhan' means wealth and the word 'Tera' means thirteen. Thus, on the day of Dhanteras, Hindus worship goddess Lakshmi, who is the goddess of wealth. Dhanteras marks the beginning of the immensely popular Hindu festival of Diwali. Apart from being marked as the beginning of Diwali, Dhanteras also falls on the thirteenth day of the Kartik month, according to the Hindu calendar. Dhanteras is an auspicious occasion for Hindu families across the country and the world as well.

Dhanteras is important for Hindu households because on the auspicious day of Dhanteras, Hindus are supposed to buy new utensils, gold and/or silver. This is done because it is said that goddess Lakshmi then showers households with more of this kind of wealth.

In fact, Dhanteras Puja Muhurat is not only done for goddess Lakshmi but also Kuber, who is the god of wealth. The shubh Dhanteras Puja Muhurat for goddess Lakshmi and god Kuber is sometimes done together in many Hindu households because it is thought that this will double the benefit of prayers.