Dhanteras known as Dhanatrayodashi, the festival is observed all over India. Dhan’ means wealth and ‘teras’ means the thirteenth day of the moon cycle. The festival also signifies the first day of the five-day Diwali celebrations and falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Karthik Krishna Paksha, of the Hindu month of Kartik.

This year Dhanteras is celebrated on 28th Oct 2016.

Dhanteras Puja Muhurat: 5:35 pm – 6:20 pm
Pradosh kaal: 5:35 pm – 8:21 pm

Trayodashi Tithi starts = 4:15 pm on October 27
Trayodashi Tithi ends = 6:20 pm on October 28

On the day of (Dhantrayodashi) Dhanteras Goddess Lakshmi came out from the ocean of milk during the churning of the Sea. Hence, Goddess Lakshmi, along with Lord Kuber is worshiped on the day of Trayodashi.

It is advised that Lakshmi Puja is started only during pradosh kaal, which is the time of two hours and 24 minutes after sunset. Another important thing to note is that the most auspicious time for the puja is when the lagna or rasi (sign) remains fixed or sthir.

On the day of Dhanteras, business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with lanterns and traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the night.

In a tradition known as Yamadeepdan, people worship Lord Yama by lighting lamps for the entire night. According to mythology, it was predicted that King Hima’s son will die due to snake-bite of the fourth night of his marriage. Upon knowing this, the prince’s wife on the said night, took all her gold ornaments and coins and placed them in a heap. She then started singing melodious songs. When Yamaraj came in the form of a serpent to kill the prince, he was blinded by the shine of the gold and melodious voice and sat dazed, thus not killing the prince. Probably, this is why people consider it a harbinger of good luck to invest in gold on this day.

It is believed that this one-day festival is an auspicious occasion to buy metals like gold and silver, and that doing so will bring prosperity and good luck for the entire family and their business ventures. Some people buy utensils, electronics, vehicles etc.