Dhanteras puja is performed two days before Diwali by worshipping Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi at home. Here are some steps to perform Dhanteras puja at home:
- Clean the puja area and place the idols or images of Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi on a chowki. Cover the chowki with a crimson cloth.
- Draw a Swastik symbol on the home main entrance with turmeric and rice powder paste.
- Purify the house by using salt water, which helps eliminate the negative energies.
- Keep a kalash half-filled with water (mixed with Gangajal), a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice grains together.
- Offer prasad of fruits, sweets, and dry fruits to the deities.
- Reciting aartis, ringing bells, and chanting of mantras are the rituals to be followed for blessings of the divine.
Additionally, people also take out their gold and silver items from their lockers and clean them with honey, holy water, curd, and milk. People also buy new gold or silver on this day. A paste of vermilion and rice flour is prepared to draw the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi, which is considered auspicious and brings wealth and prosperity to the household. The Dhanteras puja is performed in the evening, and along with fresh flowers and prasad, one offers wheat and various pulses.
