What to do on Dhanteras | Complete Guide

What to Do on Dhanteras - Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival and is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of health and Ayurveda, and to the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. 

What to Do on Dhanteras: Essential Traditions and Rituals for Prosperity and Good Fortune

This auspicious day holds immense significance for inviting good fortune, prosperity, and health. From cleansing rituals to special pujas, each tradition on Dhanteras is meaningful and filled with spiritual benefits. Here’s a guide on what to do on Dhanteras for a fulfilling and auspicious start to Diwali.

1. Clean and Decorate Your Home

[ What to do on Dhanteras and why ]

• Why: On Dhanteras, it’s believed that Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, visits clean and welcoming homes. By thoroughly cleaning and decorating, you invite positive energies into your living space.
• How: Start by cleaning every corner of your home, symbolizing the removal of negativity and obstacles. Then, decorate the entrance with rangoli designs and hang traditional torans (door hangings) made of mango leaves or flowers, to create an inviting atmosphere for the goddess.

2. Purchase Precious Metals or Utensils

[ What to do on Dhanteras and why ]

• What is the significance of buying on Dhanteras?: Buying gold, silver, or new utensils on Dhanteras is a longstanding tradition believed to attract wealth and prosperity. New metal items are symbols of Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings and are believed to bring prosperity for the coming year.
• How: You can invest in gold or silver coins, jewelry, or even small utensils if you prefer a smaller purchase. Place the purchased items on your home altar and offer prayers, symbolizing a fresh start with financial security and blessings.

3. Perform Lakshmi Puja

[ What to do on Dhanteras and why ]

• Why Lakshmi puja on diwali: Lakshmi Puja on Dhanteras is a powerful way to seek blessings for wealth and abundance in the upcoming year. This ritual connects you spiritually to the goddess and invokes her blessings for your household’s prosperity.
• How to Perform Lakshmi Puja: Set up an altar with an idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi, light a lamp (diya), and offer sweets, flowers, and incense. Chant mantras dedicated to Lakshmi, such as the "Shree Lakshmi Ashtakam," and pray with devotion. You can also recite the "Lakshmi Stotram" to deepen the blessings of the day.

Also read - How to do Lakshmi pooja at home daily with mantra

4. Observe Dhanvantari Puja for Health and Wellness

[ What to do on Dhanteras and why ]

• Why Dhanvantari Puja on Dhanteras: Dhanteras is also dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician who imparted the knowledge of Ayurveda. Worshiping him on this day is said to bring health and well-being to your family.
• How to do Dhanvantari Puja: Set up a small altar for Lord Dhanvantari with his image or a simple symbol. Offer fresh herbs, incense, and light a lamp. Chant prayers for health, like the "Dhanvantari Mantra," and meditate for a few moments, focusing on the health and wellness of your loved ones.

5. Light Diyas in the Evening

[ What to do on Dhanteras and why ]

• Why: Lighting diyas at dusk on Dhanteras is believed to ward off negativity and darkness from the home, making way for the arrival of prosperity and peace. It is also a tribute to Yama, the god of death, for protection and longevity.
• How: Place diyas (earthen lamps) at your doorstep, in the windows, and around the home entrance. Lighting these lamps not only brings warmth but also serves as a reminder of the positive energy and prosperity you wish to attract.

6. Perform a Yama Deepam Ritual

[ What to do on Dhanteras and why ]

• Why Yama Deepam Ritual: Yama Deepam is a unique ritual on Dhanteras in honor of Yama, the god of death, to protect family members from untimely death and obstacles. Lighting a diya dedicated to Yama brings protection and peace.
• How to do Yama Deepam Ritual: Light a single diya facing south (the direction associated with Yama) outside your home or at the back entrance. Recite prayers to Yama for the well-being and safety of your family, and let the diya burn through the night if possible.

7. Donate to Charity

[ What to do on Dhanteras and why ]

• Why: On Dhanteras, giving back is considered one of the most virtuous actions, aligning you with the true spirit of wealth, which is to be shared. Donations made on this day are said to bring good karma and amplify blessings.
• How: Donate money, food, clothes, or other essential items to those in need. If possible, make a small donation to temples or charitable organizations. This act of giving will help attract positivity and goodwill in your life.

8. Bring in Fresh Flowers and Sacred Leaves

[ What to do on Dhanteras and why ]

• Why: Using fresh flowers and sacred leaves like mango or betel in your decorations attracts positive energies and enhances the spiritual atmosphere of your home.
• How: Arrange flowers in your prayer area, around the altar, and at the entrance. Betel leaves are also used in the puja and are considered auspicious symbols of new beginnings and good fortune.

9. Cook and Offer Sweets to Goddess Lakshmi

[ What to do on Dhanteras and why ]

• Why: Sweets are an integral part of Dhanteras, symbolizing happiness, sweetness, and blessings for the household. Offering sweets to the goddess invites abundance and good fortune.
• How: Prepare traditional sweets like laddoos, kheer, or halwa. Offer these sweets to Goddess Lakshmi during the evening puja and distribute them as prasad among family members to share the divine blessings.

10. Recite Sacred Mantras for Blessings

[ What to do on Dhanteras and why ]

• Why: Mantras carry powerful vibrations that invoke blessings and remove negative influences. Reciting these on Dhanteras can amplify the auspiciousness of the day and ensure a positive start to Diwali.
• How: Recite the "Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmi Bhyo Namah" mantra or other Lakshmi-related prayers. You can also chant the "Mahalakshmi Ashtakam" to connect deeply with the goddess and attract her blessings.

11. Make a Small Gold or Silver Investment for Future Wealth

[ What to do on Dhanteras and why ]

• Why: Investing in gold or silver on Dhanteras is a traditional way of securing future wealth. This ritual brings long-term financial stability and is believed to protect against financial troubles.
• How: Even a small piece of gold or silver purchased today symbolizes the promise of abundance. Many people buy jewelry, coins, or even small bullion pieces as a way of enhancing prosperity for the coming year.

Conclusion - What to Do on Dhanteras

Dhanteras is more than just a day of rituals; it is a celebration of prosperity, health, and well-being for the year ahead. From cleaning and decorating the home to lighting diyas and performing special pujas, each ritual on Dhanteras carries deep significance and spiritual benefits. By observing these traditions with sincerity and devotion, you can attract positive energies, good fortune, and prosperity into your life.