Next week is Dhanteras time, which means it is officially the season for holiday lights, decoration, cleaning, and shopping. On Tuesday, October 29, Dhanteras begins the Diwali festivities. Many Hindu followers celebrate Dhanteras, also called Dhantrayodashi, with great zeal and happiness. On this fortunate day, people pay homage to the gods of medicine and riches, Kuber and Dhanvantri. Gold and silver are also popular purchases on this day, so if you are thinking of a good time to buy gold, this is the article for you!
Dhanteras muharat
During the month of Kartik (October–November), on the thirteenth day of the Krishna Paksha, the festival of Dhanteras is observed annually. The Dhanteras date for 2024 is October 29th, and this event is a celebration of good health and plenty. As a symbol of good fortune, on this day people traditionally buy gold, silver, and new cutlery. If jewellery and silverware are not on your wishlist, coins of gold and silver are also popular purchases on this day. Additionally, on that particular day, this year Dhanteras muhurat falls between 6:31 and 8:13 PM. If you are thinking of a good time to buy gold or silver, it is between 5:54 PM and 8:22 PM.
Why do we celebrate Dhanteras?
The Hindu festival of lights, Dhanteras (or Dhantrayodashi), kicks off the Diwali celebrations worldwide. There are several historical and mythological explanations for celebrating Dhanteras. Lord Kuber, the deity of riches, and Lord Dhanvantri, the deity of medicine, are the focal points of the celebration. In another mythological explanation for Dhanteras, on the fourth day of King Hima’s marriage, he was to die from a snake bite, according to a prophecy. However, on the morning of their wedding, his bride insisted he not sleep. A mound of her gold and silver trinkets stood at the entrance to their chamber, and she placed several lights around it. She continued to occupy him throughout the night with her songs and tales, keeping him up. The God of Death, Yama, took the form of a snake and was blinded by the glare of the lights and diamonds. Because Yama could not get inside, he retreated, saving the life of the young prince. The practice of lighting candles is to resemble King Hima’s bride's attempt to keep death and ill will away from entering their home.
In an alternative story, the Samudra Manthan, in which the ocean churns in search of the nectar of immortality, is linked to Dhanteras. During this churning, several heavenly gifts emerged, such as the goddess of wealth Lakshmi and the deity of healing Dhanvantari. This is why we wait for the Dhanteras muhurat to buy precious metals, which is reminiscent of goddess Lakshmi’s immense wealth and prosperity. It is said that Dhanvantari, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, arrived on earth on the day of Dhanteras and gave people the knowledge of Ayurveda, an old Indian medical system.
How do we celebrate Dhanteras in India?
Gold, silver, jewellery, and new cookware are all known to be purchased on this auspicious occasion. People start cleaning their houses and taking showers early in the morning to get ready for the celebrations. As a symbol of good fortune, homes are adorned with rangoli, lights, and floral arrangements. As this is a significant shopping day during the auspicious period, families buy things like cutlery, jewellery, and kitchenware.
You should also avoid purchasing any sharp things, like scissors, pins, or knives, on Dhanteras since they are believed to bring ill luck. Additionally, on this day, you shouldn't purchase any metals, plastics, glassware, oil, or ghee. On this auspicious day, it is believed that eating jaggery, kheer, panchamrit, and boondi laddoo would bring good fortune. Sweets and delicious meals are made to be shared with loved ones.