Dhanteras 2025 will be celebrated this year on Saturday, October 18, marking the beginning of the five-day festival of lights, Deepotsav. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and Lord Kubera are worshipped. Worship performed during Pradosh and Vrishabha periods is considered especially auspicious, and purchasing gold, silver, and utensils brings prosperity.
Dhanteras: This year, the festival of Dhanteras will be celebrated on Saturday, October 18, which also marks the beginning of the five-day Deepotsav. On this occasion, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and Lord Kubera will be worshipped in homes across India. This festival is considered a symbol of wealth, health, and prosperity. According to astrologers, performing puja during Pradosh and Vrishabha periods is most auspicious. People also purchase gold, silver, and other propitious items on this day, bringing happiness and affluence to their homes.
Auspicious Timings for Dhanteras Puja 2025
According to religious beliefs, Dhanteras Puja is performed during the Pradosh period when the Vrishabha Lagna yoga is formed. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera at this time is considered extremely fruitful. This year, the auspicious timing for Dhanteras Puja will be on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
- Dhanteras Puja Muhurat: 07:16 PM to 08:20 PM
- Duration: 1 hour 04 minutes
- Pradosh Kaal: 05:48 PM to 08:20 PM
- Vrishabha Kaal: 07:16 PM to 09:11 PM
- Trayodashi Tithi Begins: October 18, 12:18 PM
- Trayodashi Tithi Ends: October 19, 01:51 PM
According to astrologers, worship performed during the Pradosh and Vrishabha periods is considered most auspicious. At this time, lighting lamps, placing symbols of wealth, and chanting mantras are especially fruitful for invoking the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.
Significance of Dhanteras
Dhanteras is not just the day of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, but also of Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of health. The Puranas describe that during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean) when gods and demons churned the Ksheer Sagar, Lord Dhanvantari emerged with the pot of Amrita (elixir of immortality). Hence, this day is also known as Dhantrayodashi.
Lord Dhanvantari is considered the father of Ayurveda. Worshipping him on this day bestows freedom from diseases and the blessing of longevity. This is why Dhanteras is seen not just as a day of wealth, but also as a symbol of the balance between health and prosperity.
Significance of Shopping on Dhanteras
Purchasing new items on Dhanteras is considered auspicious. It is believed that things bought on this day bring prosperity, stability, and good fortune to the home. Traditionally, people buy gold, silver, copper, brass, and bronze utensils on this day.
The scriptures state that buying auspicious items on Dhanteras multiplies a person's wealth and opulence thirteenfold. While traditionally people would buy utensils or jewelry, nowadays, people also purchase electronics, vehicles, and other valuable items on this day.
However, it is considered auspicious to purify the purchased item with Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges) at home before the puja and include it in the worship of Goddess Lakshmi.
Dhanteras Puja Rituals
Dhanteras puja is performed in the evening during the Pradosh period. After cleaning the house, making a rangoli at the entrance and lighting lamps is considered auspicious. During the puja, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and Lord Kubera are invoked.
- First, light lamps at the main entrance of the house and create a rangoli to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
- At the puja altar, install idols or pictures of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari.
- Offer them Akshat (rice grains), flowers, incense, lamps, fruits, and sweets.
- Worship Lord Dhanvantari with Tulsi leaves, a conch shell, and water.
- Offer silver coins to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera.
- Finally, perform Deepdan (offering of lamps) and chant the special Dhanteras mantra:
Om Dhanadaya Namah
Lighting a lamp in the name of Yamaraj on this day is also very important. This is called Yam Deepdan. This lamp is placed outside the house, facing the south direction. It is believed that this dispels the fear of untimely death.
Light 13 Lamps on Dhanteras
Lighting 13 lamps on Dhanteras is considered extremely auspicious. This tradition is observed to seek the blessings of Yamaraj and to get rid of negative energy. These lamps should be lit in different parts of the house, especially at the main entrance and on the Tulsi Chaura (basil altar).
It is also said that lighting lamps removes negativity from the house and opens the doors to prosperity. This also marks the initial sign of Deepotsav, which continues for the next four days, covering Narak Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Pujan, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj.
Connection Between Dhanteras and Diwali
Dhanteras is considered the beginning of the Diwali festival. This five-day festival commences on this day and concludes on Bhai Dooj.
- First Day: Dhanteras - Worship of Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, and Yamaraj
- Second Day: Narak Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali - Adoration of Lord Krishna
- Third Day: Lakshmi Puja - The main day of Diwali
- Fourth Day: Govardhan Puja - Worship of Lord Krishna
- Fifth Day: Bhai Dooj - Festival of sibling love
Thus, Dhanteras is not merely the beginning of shopping or celebrations, but also a symbol of spiritual and cultural awakening.
A Popular Legend Associated with Dhanteras
According to a mythological legend, it was fated that the son of King Hima would die from a snakebite on the fourth night after his marriage. His wife, to keep her husband awake that night, lit lamps and piled up gold and silver ornaments all around, chanting hymns in devotion to Lord Yamaraj throughout the night.
When Yamaraj arrived in the form of a serpent, the bright light of the lamps and her devotion prevented him from approaching. He granted King Hima's son a reprieve from death. Since then, the tradition of Yam Deepdan began on the night of Dhanteras.
A Festival of Positive Energy and Prosperity
Dhanteras is a day that brings energy not only from an economic perspective but also mentally and spiritually. The purpose of cleaning, Deepdan, and puja on this day is not just to seek the blessings of deities, but to welcome positivity and light into one's life.
It is said that if a person performs puja on Dhanteras with a pure heart and shares Prasad, sweets, or lamps with others, happiness, prosperity, and peace reside in the home.
