On Dhanteras it is a custom to buy jewellery of gold or silver. Find out the legend of Dhanteras and the significance of this auspicious occasion. Dhanteras is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the month of Karthik according to the Hindu calendar. This day falls two days prior to the Diwali. In 2012, Dhanteras will be celebrated on 11th of November. Dhanteras comes from “Dhan” or wealth and “Teras” means thirteenth. Hindus worship Lord Yama, the God of Death on this day so as to pray for his benevolence and seek prosperity. The day is basically celebrated through the worship of wealth as people visit jewellery stores to buy gold or silver on this occasion. People can also buy new utensils to mark Dhanteras. In this articleStory of King Hima Story of Goddess ParvatiHow Dhanteras is ObservedStories Behind Dhanteras Let us have a look at some stories behind Dhanteras celebration. Story of King Hima - The story of Dhanteras goes back to an ancient legend where the son of King Hima was predicted to die due to snakebite on his sixteenth birthday, according to his horoscope. In order to protect the prince, his newlywed wife did not let him sleep, and placed all her ornaments in a heap at the entrance of the sleeping chamber. She placed all available treasuries of gold and silver coins too along with those jewelleries. She lighted up the entire place with lamps so that every nook and corner was visible and there was no darkness anywhere. She then began to sing songs and recite poems in order to keep her husband from falling asleep. She feared that he may die if he falls asleep. The god of Death, Lord Yama arrived in the guise of a serpent as predicted by the prince’s horoscope. But his eyes got blinded by the radiance of the numerous lamps and the brilliance of the jewels and gold. Yama failed to enter the chamber and he climbed atop the heap of ornaments and coins and began to listen to the songs and recitations of the prince’s wife. The night was spent in this manner and it dawned, the serpent had no other option but to leave, as according to the horoscope, the serpent was to bite the prince on that very night only. Since then the day has been celebrated whereby the young prince was saved due to the love and intelligence of his wife. Story of Goddess Parvati - Yet another legend has it that Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva played dice with her husband on this day and won. And so, it is also a custom followed by some Hindus, where businessmen play dice or gamble so that wealth and prosperity is ensured for the entire year.How Dhanteras is Observed: The day is also observed as Yamadeepdaan, as the lady of the house lights earthen Deeps or lamps throughout the night so as to appease Lord Yama, and ensure that their husbands and household is protected from all deaths and obstacles. It is a custom to buy jewellery of gold or silver on the night of Dhanteras and people from all walks of life make it a point that they invest a little of their money or savings so that they can buy at least a bit of gold or silver on this auspicious occasion. They also opt for buying a new utensil if there is any problem in buying gold or silver. Puja is performed on the site where the wealth of the house is kept, and Laxmi Puja is also performed along with that of Lord Ganesh.
On Dhanteras it is a custom to buy jewellery of gold or silver. Find out the legend of Dhanteras and the significance of this auspicious occasion. Dhanteras is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the month of
Karthik according to the Hindu calendar. This day falls two days prior to the Diwali. In 2012, Dhanteras will be celebrated on 11th of November. Dhanteras comes from “
Dhan” or wealth and “
Teras” means thirteenth. Hindus worship Lord Yama, the God of Death on this day so as to pray for his benevolence and seek prosperity. The day is basically celebrated through the worship of wealth as people visit jewellery stores to buy gold or silver on this occasion. People can also buy new utensils to mark
Dhanteras.
Stories Behind Dhanteras
Let us have a look at some stories behind Dhanteras celebration.
Story of King Hima -
The story of Dhanteras goes back to an ancient legend where the son of King Hima was predicted to die due to snakebite on his sixteenth birthday, according to his horoscope. In order to protect the prince, his newlywed wife did not let him sleep, and placed all her ornaments in a heap at the entrance of the sleeping chamber. She placed all available treasuries of gold and silver coins too along with those jewelleries. She lighted up the entire place with lamps so that every nook and corner was visible and there was no darkness anywhere. She then began to sing songs and recite poems in order to keep her husband from falling asleep. She feared that he may die if he falls asleep.
The god of Death, Lord Yama arrived in the guise of a serpent as predicted by the prince’s horoscope. But his eyes got blinded by the radiance of the numerous lamps and the brilliance of the jewels and gold. Yama failed to enter the chamber and he climbed atop the heap of ornaments and coins and began to listen to the songs and recitations of the prince’s wife. The night was spent in this manner and it dawned, the serpent had no other option but to leave, as according to the horoscope, the serpent was to bite the prince on that very night only. Since then the day has been celebrated whereby the young prince was saved due to the love and intelligence of his wife.
Story of Goddess Parvati -
Yet another legend has it that
Goddess Parvati, the wife of
Lord Shiva played dice with her husband on this day and won. And so, it is also a custom followed by some Hindus, where businessmen play dice or gamble so that wealth and prosperity is ensured for the entire year.
How Dhanteras is Observed:
The day is also observed as Yamadeepdaan, as the lady of the house lights earthen Deeps or lamps throughout the night so as to appease Lord Yama, and ensure that their husbands and household is protected from all deaths and obstacles.
It is a custom to buy jewellery of gold or silver on the night of Dhanteras and people from all walks of life make it a point that they invest a little of their money or savings so that they can buy at least a bit of gold or silver on this auspicious occasion. They also opt for buying a new utensil if there is any problem in buying gold or silver. Puja is performed on the site where the wealth of the house is kept, and Laxmi Puja is also performed along with that of Lord Ganesh.
