Kathmandu. Celebrated on the Trayodashi Tithi of Kartik Krishna Paksha, Dhanteras is a very important festival in Hindu culture, which marks the formal beginning of Tihar or Deepawali. ‘Dhanteras’, which is a combination of these two words, ‘Dhanteras’ means wealth and ‘teras’ i.e. Trayodashi Tithi, is not only a worship of wealth but also a symbol of health, prosperity and inner light. The significance of this day is very deep, physical, religious and philosophical. In the Hindu tradition, Diwali is not just a festival of lighting up and buying new things, but also the beginning of self-purification and balance by removing negativity in life. Dhanteras is the first day of the festival, where the balance of body, mind, and soul is worshipped as wealth, health, and wisdom.
From a mythological point of view, the root of Dhanteras is associated with the churning of the ocean. According to the story, the gods and demons churned Kshirsagar to obtain the nectar that grants immortality. From that great churning, 14 priceless gems were revealed, and as the thirteenth of them, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Dhanvantari with nectar in a golden urn.
Lord Dhanvantari is considered to be the father of Ayurveda, who gave the knowledge of health, healthy lifestyle and longevity to our human civilization. His appearance reminded the world that health is the greatest wealth. Therefore, Dhanteras is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanvantari on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi. On this day, Ayurveda practitioners, Vaidyas, and health workers participate in special pujas and wellness-related programs. Dhanteras is not only a festival of economic prosperity but also a day of respect for health and longevity.
Another famous story related to Dhanteras is that of the son of Yamraj and King Hemraj. According to the legend, after the marriage of King Hemraj’s son, astrologers predicted that he would die on the fourth day of marriage due to a snake bite. As that day approached, the newlywed wife resorted to unusual measures. She put a huge pile of gold, silver, money, and metal utensils outside the door of the house and lit countless lamps over it. She stayed awake all night singing stories and hymns. When Yamraj came in the form of a serpent, he was fascinated by the brilliance of gold, silver and lamps and stayed there. By morning, the time of death was over, and the prince’s life was saved. Inspired by this event, the tradition of lighting a lamp at the main gate of the house or in the south direction on the night of Dhanteras every year, which is called “Yamdeepdan”. This lamp is considered to avert untimely death, protect the family, and provide longevity. Dhanteras thus conveys the message of balance between life and death where even death is overtaken by reverence, light and love.
Lakshmi, Kubera and Dhanvantari are specially worshiped on Dhanteras. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Kubera is the patron and manager deity of wealth, and Dhanvantari is the symbol of health. These three powers are the three bases of life: wealth, prudence, and health. Lakshmi gives material happiness, Dhanvantari gives health and longevity, and Kubera gives wisdom to make good use of wealth. This Triveni gives the message that it is not enough to just accumulate wealth, it is also necessary to manage it properly and judiciously.
From the religious point of view, the worship method of Dhanteras is also meaningful. The body and home are purified by bathing in the morning, which symbolizes self-purification. After this, Dhanvantari, Kubera and Lakshmi are worshiped together. Offerings of Ganga water, incense, flowers, sweets, fruits and lamps are offered in the worship and prayers are made for wealth, health and prosperity. In the evening, a south-facing lamp is lit at the main gate of the house during the Pradosh Kaal. The south direction is considered to belong to Yamraj, so this lamp is offered in honor of Yamraj and for the protection of the family. On this day, it is customary to buy new utensils, gold and silver ornaments, metal items or other items. According to religious beliefs, Lakshmi resides in the goods purchased on this day and that wealth increases multiplied.
The practice of buying copper or silver utensils is not merely for the purpose of making money. Classically, metals are a symbol of health. Ayurvedic belief is that drinking water in a copper vessel keeps the body healthy. Therefore, buying utensils on Dhanteras means buying health. The tradition of buying brooms also has a deep meaning. The broom is considered a symbol of Lakshmi, who removes poverty and brings prosperity to the house. In this way, there is a symbolic message hidden in every ritual of Dhanteras, that is, purity, balance and prosperity.
Dhanteras has acquired a new economic and social dimension in modern society. With economic liberalization and market-oriented lifestyle, this festival has become very important from the business point of view as well. Gold and silver shops, electronics stores, utensils and auto showrooms are unprecedentedly crowded on this day. This is the most profitable time of the year for businessmen.
Dhanteras has thus taken the form of a symbol of market dynamism and economic vitality. But it also brings another challenge to consumerism. Where Dhanteras was once a festival of restraint, gratitude, and religious purity, today for some, it has become an occasion for extravagant spending and display. People tend to spend more on luxuries than necessary, which undermines the philosophical essence of the festival.
However, there has also been a positive change in recent years. People involved in the health sector, Ayurveda and Yoga practice have tried to bring Dhanteras back to its original meaning. In many places, seminars and Ayurvedic exhibitions are held on this day as Dhanvantari Jayanti. It has revived the basic message of ‘the first happiness is a healthy body’. Dhanteras is thus being re-established as a festival of health awareness and lifestyle improvement.
Dhanteras has a special place in Nepal. Here this day is celebrated as the beginning of Tihar i.e. Yamapanchak. In Nepal, this day is also associated with Kag Tihar. In the morning, the crow is worshipped and honored as a symbol of the message, and in the evening, a lamp is lit by worshipping Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kubera. In rural areas, the tradition of cleaning houses, lighting earthen lamps, and lighting lamps with families is still prevalent. In the cities, there is a rush to buy gold and other goods. The farming community buys new agricultural machinery or utensils on this day, signalling production and prosperity in the coming year. In this way, Dhanteras has worked as a bridge between religious beliefs, cultural originality and economic activity in Nepal.
Classically, Dhanteras represents the three basic values of human life, balance between health and wisdom, Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity, Dhanvantari represents health and Kuber represents prudent accumulation and management. In the Upanishads, it is said that the proper use of wealth should be religious and useful to the society. Dhanteras teaches that accumulating wealth is not wrong, but it should not become a means of greed, arrogance and display. Real prosperity is the use of wealth, self-control, and gratitude.
In today’s society, when people are busy with material conveniences and competition, Dhanteras gives the message of introspection. The light of the lamp not only dispels the darkness of the house but also dispels the darkness of the mind. The lighting of the lamp reminds us that ignorance, jealousy, and greed are the darkness of the mind, which can only be removed by knowledge, love, and generosity. Real wealth consists not only of money but also of a healthy body, a calm mind, rational thinking, and loving relationships. The light of Dhanteras should be taken as a message to awaken the consciousness within us.
Dhanteras is also a festival of gratitude. On this day, we worship Lord Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kuber and express our gratitude for the wealth, health and opportunities we have received in life. This festival says that it is not wrong to earn money, but it should be restraint and prudence. Balance and simplicity are the real beauty of life, not excessive consumption and competition.
Dhanteras is not just a day to light lights or buy things. It is a philosophy of life where wealth, health, and wisdom are honored together. As the incarnation day of Lord Dhanvantari, this day conveys the message that both health and prosperity are divine gifts, and their protection is possible only with gratitude, restraint and prudence. In a modern society where competition, stress, and greed are on the rise, Dhanteras reminds us that real prosperity resides within, not outside. The true purpose of Dhanteras is to live a prosperous and healthy life with light, knowledge and harmony.
