Dhanteras Puja 2023: Date, Significance, Rituals and Mantra

Dhanteras is the first day of celebration of the five-day-long festival of Diwali. On Dhanteras Puja, Lakshmi – the Goddess of wealth, is worshipped to provide prosperity and well-being. It is also the day for celebrating wealth, as the word ‘Dhan’ literally means wealth, and ‘Tera’ comes from the date 13^th.

The festival of Dhanteras falls in the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov) on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight. Lord Kuber, the treasurer and bestower of riches, is also worshipped along with Goddess Lakshmi on Dhanteras. This custom of worshipping Lakshmi and Kuber is the prospect of doubling the benefits of such prayers.

Significance of Dhanteras

The word dhanteras is the collective name of “Dhan“, meaning wealth, and “Teras” meaning 13^th. The festival falls on the 13th day of Krishna Paksha of Kartik Month, in October or November.

As per the mythological tales, an astrologer predicted that King Hima would die on the 4^th day of his marriage. On hearing this, his wife accumulated all her jewellery at the entrance and lit a Diya.

On dhanteras day, the God of Death, Yama came disguised as a serpent and got bewildered by the shine and shimmer of the ornaments. Thus, Yama couldn’t take the king with him. Thus, every household lit a diya on Dhanteras Day praying for the long life and prosperity of the family.

Mythological Significance

A jar of Amrit, the divine nectar of immortality, and a sacred book on Ayurveda were carried by God Dhanvantari, the God of Ayurveda medicine and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, as he emerged from the sea during Samudra Manthan. He taught mankind the principles of Ayurveda and assisted them in curing diseases. Devotees pray to Lord Dhanvantri on Dhanteras to use Ayurveda to treat chronic diseases. In addition, it’s also said that Lord Dhanvantri was a doctor to all the Hindu gods.

Goddess Lakshmi is linked to a different Dhanteras mythology. Hindu mythology describes Goddess Lakshmi as emerging from Samudra Manthan while seated on a lotus and holding a vessel filled with gold, which stands for fortune, success, happiness, and wealth. Devotees decorate their front doors with lovely rangolis and light diyas inside their homes to greet Goddess Lakshmi and ask for her blessings. In Hindu families, daughters are also referred to as the Goddess Lakshmi or as the personification of luck. Rituals associated with Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pooja also reflect the notion that success and wealth are bestowed onto a family when daughters or daughters-in-law use ‘kumkum’ to leave their footprints at the door to their home.

Rituals of Dhanteras Puja

The rituals of this auspicious Puja include:

Dhanteras Puja Muharat 2023

In 2023 Dhanteras is celebrated on 10 November 2023, Friday.

• Dhanteras Puja Muhurat – 05:53 PM to 07:54 PM
• Pradosh Kaal – 05:34 PM to 08:05 PM
• Vrishabha Kaal – 05:53 PM to 07:54 PM
• Trayodashi Tithi- 12:35 PM on 10 November 2023 – 01:57 PM on 11 November 2023

Dhanteras Puja Mantra

Lord Ganesha Mantra 

During this puja, various auspicious mantras are chanted, seeking blessings from God. The pandit performing the puja chant –

‘Vakra-Tunndda Maha-Kaaya Suurya-Kotti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa’

This mantra is for Lord Ganesha. It signifies praying to Lord Ganesha, who has a curved trunk and a large body and is blessed with the brilliance of a million Suns. Devotees chant this mantra praying to God to remove all obstacles from work.

Lord Dhanwantari Mantra

Next, Lord Dhanwantari– founder of Ayurveda, is also worshipped with

‘Om Namo Bhagavate Maha Sudharshana Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye;
Amrutha Kalasa Hasthaaya Sarva Bhaya Vinasaya Sarva amaya Nivaranaya Thri Lokya Pathaye Thri Lokya Nidhaye Sri Maha Vishnu Swarupa Sri Dhanvantri Swarupa Sri Sri Sri Aoushata Chakra Narayana Swaha’. 

This mantra signified praying to Sudharshana Vasudeva Dhanwantari, who holds the kalasha full of nectar of immortality. Devotees pray to the Lord to remove all ailments and fear of death. He also worshipped and prayed for the healing souls of human beings.

Lord Kuber Mantra

Finally, Lord Kuber is worshipped for wealth and prosperity by chanting.

 ‘Om Yakshyaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaaya Dhanadhanyadi Padayeh
Dhana-Dhanya Samreeddhing Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha’

Goddess Lakshmi Mantra 

Goddess Laxmi is worshipped for wealth and peace in the household by chanting

‘Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed 
Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmaye Namaha’

Benefits of Chanting Dhanteras Pooja Mantras

• It is thought that reciting mantras to Goddess Lakshmi will help one bring wealth, prosperity, and abundance into their life. These mantras are spoken to attract prosperity and success financially.
• It aids in removing roadblocks and difficulties that can impede development and growth. It is thought that requesting the help of gods like Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi can make problems disappear.
• It is said that reciting the Dhanvantari mantras will bring about health and healing.
• Reciting these mantras can create a positive atmosphere in your home by clearing your surroundings and mind.

Checklist For Dhanteras Pujan Samagri

Dhanteras is the commencement of Diwali celebrations and rituals. To perform the puja seamlessly and flawlessly, you need to arrange for all the essential items needed during the puja. Contact an experienced and professional pandit who can share the complete list of what is required during the puja. The list is pretty long. Take a glance carefully so that nothing is missed.

You need to arrange for

How to do Dhanteras Puja at Home

Dhanteras Puja is performed before Diwali by worshipping Lord Ganesha and Devi Lakshmi.

• Ideally, a diya is lit before the puja’s commencement, also known as Dhantrayodashi puja. Just ensure the Diya is lit overnight.
• The diyas are meant to eradicate negative energy and evil spirits far away from home.
• Idols are placed on a new red cloth and worshipped with flowers, leaves, and agarbatti.
• You will see small footprints drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder from the doorway to the puja area. This is a symbol of the goddess Lakshmi entering their abodes.
• First, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are given a bath in holy water and sandal paste. honey, ghee, and butter.
• Fresh flowers are showered on them.
• Naivadya and prasad in the form of fruits and sweets are offered to the gods and goddesses.
• A special kind of Prashad is offered to the goddess, especially in Maharashtra. It is made with pounded coriander seeds blended with jaggery.
• Pandits chant various mantras during this puja ritual as both Dhanalaxmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped.
• For this puja, many people buy precious and semi-precious jewellery, silver coins, and utensils. Along with mantras, family members pray to God for peace, prosperity, and happiness and seek their blessings.

Dhanteras Vrat

There are no strict ritual religious norms to be followed on the day of the puja. Many people perform Dhanteras pooja fast on this day till the puja happens in the muharat. Panchamrit made with milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee is offered to God. Usually, the fast is broken with this auspicious item.

Food To Consume On Dhanteras

Ate ka halwa is a must among all the food consumed on dhanteras. It is offered to Goddess Laxmi and then distributed as a prasad. In eastern India, lapsi is prepared with long-grain cracked wheat, ghee, and sugar. Boondi laddoo and kheer or rice pudding with milk and jaggery are also eaten on this occasion.