Dhanteras 2021: Know its Date, Muhurats, Puja Vidhi, Mantra and Rituals

Dhanteras 2021: Know its Date, Muhurats, Puja Vidhi, Mantra, and Rituals

Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali, the festival of lights. It is observed on the thirteenth day of the Kartik month of the dark Lunar fortnight of Krishna Paksha. On this day people devotedly worship Goddess Lakshmi who graces their lives with affluence. Also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanvantri Jayanti, the festival lauds the discovery of the ‘Amrit Kalash’ obtained by Samudra Manthan or Churning of the Sea by the originator of Ayurveda and the physician of Gods, Lord Dhanvantari. The deity is worshipped for good health and well-being. Dhanteras comes before Diwali and heralds the oncoming days of merriment that is a cumulative celebration for wealth, good fortune, and health.

Dhanteras/ Dhana Trayodashi: Meaning, 2021 Date, Time, And Muhurta

Dhanteras is also termed as Dhana Trayodashi or Dhanvantari Trayodashi. ‘Dhana’ means wealth and ‘Teras’ or ‘Trayodashi’ means thirteen. It simplifies the occurrence of Dhanteras on the thirteenth day of the Krishna Paksha Tithi.

Below given is the occurrence Date, Time, and Muhurta of the festival in 2021:

• Dhanteras 2021 Schedule Date / Muhurat Time
• Dhanteras Puja 2 November, 2021
• Dhanteras Puja Muhurat 06:31 PM to 08:23 PM
• Trayodashi Tithi Begins 11:31 AM on 2 November 2021
• Trayodashi Tithi Ends 09:02 AM on 3 November 2021
• Yama Deepam 2 November 2021
• Pradosh Kaal 05:28 PM to 08:07 PM
• Vrishabha Kaal 05:32 PM to 07:28 PM

Procedure of Dhanteras Puja i.e. Dhanteras Puja Vidhi

A deepak or diya (lamp) made of flour dough is arranged on a slightly raised platform i.e. Chowki with decorations.

Place four cotton wicks in it and light the lamp facing four directions with oil or ghee as per the family custom

The main purpose of lighting the lamp is to please Lord Yama, the god of death. It is believed that this worship also pleases the departed ancestor souls of the family.

A Pancha Patra is filled with water. The water from it is sprinkled around the lamp. During the puja to the lamp, flowers, rice, and coins are offered along with the chanting of mantras.

To each of the wicks of the lamp, four sweets are offered.

Following this, the incense sticks are lit and waved in front of the lamp. Women of the home go around the lamp four times and pay their respect. Either the eldest married member of the family or an unmarried girl mixes some rice, turmeric powder, and vermilion to make a paste. This is applied by them to the foreheads of the women in the family.

The lamp is then lifted by a male member of the family and placed to the right of the main entrance.

The female members then sit for the puja and worship Ganesh and Lakshmi.

At the conclusion of the puja, camphor is waved in front of the idols, and prasad is distributed.

Dhanteras Significance

The Hindu calendar marks Dhanteras as one of the most auspicious days preceding Diwali. There is much significance of this day as it is considered as the festival of wealth. People invest in gold, silver, and other precious ornaments as a symbol of bringing home, Goddess Lakshmi, the benefactor of Wealth. It is inscribed in the scriptures as the day of the deity emerging from the oceans during Samudra Manthan. The oceans were churned for ‘Amrita’ or nectar and Goddess Lakshmi along with Lord Dhanvantari appeared with a golden pot of Elixir meant to bring eternity to the Gods.