Dhanteras

 Story of Dhanterass

 According to ancient legends, the celebration of Dhanteras is attributed to the story of the sixteen year old son of king Hima.  Predictions were made that he would die of a snake bite on the  fourth day of his marriage.

 Four days hence his marriage, his newly wedded wife, being aware of this prediction laid out all her ornaments along with  coins made of precious metals of gold and silver in a heap at the entrance of her husband's sleeping chamber and furbished the  whole place with lamps.

 Then, all night long she narrated stories and sang songs to keep her husband from falling asleep. It is believed, that when  Yama, the God of death, arrived under the guise of a snake, he found himself unable to enter the prince's chamber as he was  dazzled and blinded by the light of the lamps and jewellery, and so he climbed the heap of ornaments and coins and listened to  the melodious songs of the wife.

 In the morning, he quietly went away sparing the life of the prince. In this manner, the young wife saved her husband from the  clasp of death itself. Hence, this day also came to be known as 'Yamadeepdaan'.

 Another popular legend also associates itself with this festival. It believes in the appearance of Dhanvantari (physician of the  Gods and an incarnation of Vishnu), with a jar of elixir on the day of Dhanteras during the cosmic battle fought between the  gods and demons, who had churned the ocean for Amrita or nectar.

 Dhanteras Celebration

 The festival of Dhanteras is celebrated with great zeal and joy. On this festival, people worship the Goddess of wealth and  God of death, Lord Yama for receiving blessings in the form of good health and prosperity. People decorate their houses and  offices.

 Colorful, traditional rangolis adorn the entrance of all such premises; this is done to welcome the goddess of wealth and  prosperity into our homes and work places. Small footprints are drawn out with rice flour and vermilion powder to indicate  the long-awaited arrival of Goddess Lakshmi.

 Buying new utensils or coins made of precious metals such as gold or silver on Dhanteras has become very popular as it is  considered auspicious and considered to bring good luck.

 Dhanteras Puja

 Dhanteras is marked with the performance of 'Lakshmi Puja' in the evenings. People sing devotional songs in praise of  goddess Lakshmi. They light up tiny diyas to drive all evil spirits away. On the night of Dhanteras, people light the lamps for  entire length of the night. Traditional sweets are cooked and offered to the goddess.

 Dhanteras is celebrated differently, in different parts of India. This is a very important festival for the mercantile community  of western India. In the state of Maharashtra, people follow the custom of lightly pounding dry coriander seeds with jaggery  and offering it as 'Naivedya'. In rural areas, farmers adorn and worship their cattle, as they act as their main source of income.  In south India, people consider cows as incarnations of goddess Lakshmi, and hence treat them with them particular  reverence.