Dhanteras is a Hindu festival celebrated two days before Diwali. On this day, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari to invite wealth and prosperity into their lives. Here are some things that people typically do on Dhanteras:
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Clean the house: It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits clean and well-lit homes, so people clean their homes thoroughly before Dhanteras.
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Perform a puja: A Dhanteras puja is performed in the evening, after sunset. People worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi at home by placing their idols or images on a chowki covered with a crimson cloth. They offer prasad of fruits, sweets, and dry fruits to the deities. Reciting aartis, ringing bells, and chanting mantras are the rituals to be followed for blessings of the divine.
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Make footprints: Small footprints, using vermilion, symbolizing the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi, are made near the entrance of the home as part of the Dhanteras pooja.
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Buy gold or silver: Many people buy new gold or silver on this day. Some also take out their gold and silver items from their lockers and clean them with honey, holy water, curd, and milk.
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Feed cows: Cow worship is highly revered on Dhanteras. Cows must be fed and given chapati and jaggery.
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Follow dos and donts: To make the most of Dhanteras and invite wealth and prosperity into your life, its important to follow certain dos and avoid certain donts. For example, people should not buy sharp objects like knives, forks, scissors, etc. on this auspicious day. They should also avoid eating non-vegetarian or tamsik food such as eggs, onions, and garlic. Instead, they should prepare only satvik food. People should recite the mantras of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber as much as possible on this day. They should also help the sick and provide them with medicines as Lord Dhanvantri is worshipped on Dhanteras, who is considered the god of medicine.
