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|  DHANTERAS CELEBRATION
Celebrating Dhanteras
marks the commencement of Diwali celebration. On this day Hindus worship Lakshmi,
the Goddess of wealth and prosperity and seek
blessings of good fortune and wellbeing. ‘Dhan’ a Sanskrit word means ‘wealth’
in English and on this day the
business premises as well as the homes are decorated in anticipation
of wealth and prosperity.
The legend behind
Dhanteras
narrates that, on this auspicious day of Dhanteras, Lakshmi, the Goddess of
wealth and prosperity was incarnated. When the Goddesses and Demons were
churning the ocean of milk to get hold of ‘Amrit’ or nectar, Lakhshmi emerged
out of it and since then it became a tradition to worship Lakshmi on the day of
Dhanteras.
To indicate the long
awaited arrival of Goddess Lakshmi, entrances are decorated beautifully with
traditional motifs and bright colors. Small footprints, signifying the steps of
Goddess Lakshmi, are drawn on the floor by using rice flour and vermilion
powder.
Another fascinating legend
behind Dhanteras tells the story of young son of King Hima. He was destined to
die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. His wife determined to
save her husband, laid all the ornaments, gold and silver coins at the entrance
of their room and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. She also kept on
singing songs all through the night to keep her husband awake. When Yam, the God
of Death, arrived there in the form of a serpent, he was dazzled by those
innumerable lights and glittering ornaments. So he listened to the melodious
songs, sitting on the hip of ornaments and coins and left quietly in the
morning. Since that day lights are kept burning all through the night on
Dhanteras
and on Diwali as an expression to convey reverence to Yam, the God of Death.
Dhanteras is the day
believed to bring good luck all through the year if you bring new wealth in the
house that is why women buy gold or silver ornaments on this auspicious day. It
is also customary for the Hindu people to buy one or two utensils on this day,
which is also believed to bring good luck. Lakshmi puja is performed in the
household and numerous tiny clay lamps or
diyas are lighted and kept burning the entire night to ward off
evil spirits lurking in the darkness.
Devotional songs in praise
of Gods and Goddesses are sung on this sacred day. Believers, who want to seek
religious blessings
for a prosperous year ahead, are offered traditional
sweets.
This is a particularly important day for the people related to any kind of
business.
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