| Come autumn with its lavish harvest and cool | | | | cleaned, venerated, decorated with marigolds and |
| breezes, and for the people of India, its time to | | | | mango leaves and filled with water. They are |
| revel in various festivities. One of these festivals | | | | heated next morning and the hot water is used |
| is the Dhanteras, also known as 'Dhantrayodashi' | | | | for ritualistic baths for the destruction of sin and |
| or 'Dhanvantari Triodasi' dedicated to the | | | | ignorance. Traditional sweets like laddus, chaklis, |
| celebration of Goddess Laxmi. The festival, | | | | sakkaparas, and badam halwa are very much a |
| observed two days before Diwali is considered to | | | | part of the revelry. |
| herald the onset of the festival of lights. Hence, it | | | | There is an interesting legend related to this |
| can also be called Diwali eve. The festival usually | | | | festival. The sixteen year old son of a certain king |
| comes every year in the thirteenth lunar day of | | | | Hima was predestined to die by a snake bite on |
| Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashwin | | | | the fourth day of his marriage. But on that day, |
| (October / November). | | | | his wife kept him awake and laid all her |
| The Dhanteras has special significance to the | | | | ornaments at the entrance and went on telling |
| business community of India, as they pray to | | | | stories and singing songs. As it was destined, god |
| Laxmi, the goddess of wealth for good fortune | | | | of death 'Yama' disguised as a snake tried to |
| and success in life. Amongst the business | | | | enter the Prince’s chamber but was |
| community the jewelers specially celebrate this | | | | bedazzled by the lights of ornaments climbed the |
| festival in the most pompous manner in the gold | | | | heap of ornaments and sat there listening the |
| market areas. | | | | songs and next morning he went away without |
| The festival is marked by colorful decorations and | | | | completing his mission. This day is hence |
| renovations in individual houses and business places | | | | celebrated as Yamandeepdaan and a diya is kept |
| to welcome Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and | | | | burning whole night on Dhanteras in the name of |
| prosperity. Women make colorful rangolis, alpana | | | | Yama. |
| or floor patterns with small footprints of the | | | | Apart from fun, revelry and shopping, this festival |
| goddess to symbolize her entry into their houses | | | | is also the best occasion for buying and gifting |
| and business establishments. Some people light | | | | exclusive Dhanteras gifts. Apart from gold and |
| diyas, or traditional lamps throughout the night to | | | | silver jewelry, other items like silver coins, pooja |
| ward off evil spirits. Doors remain open and | | | | accessories, brass, metallic, fiber or wooden idols |
| neighbors or communities get together to share | | | | of gods and goddesses can be given out to near |
| sweets and tiny lamps. | | | | and dear ones. The business class forming a huge |
| For additional luck and wealth, people also | | | | chunk of the expatriates from India sends |
| purchase gold and silver articles, new jewelry, car, | | | | Dhanteras gifts to India, to their acquaintances. |
| and homes during this festival. Jewelers' shops | | | | Sending Dhanteras sweets to relatives and |
| remain open late into the night and are crowded | | | | acquaintances is another way to celebrate this |
| throughout the day. A few devouts even fix | | | | festival. |
| dates for marriages on this day. | | | | Nowadays, some financial institutions and |
| In south India, on Dhanteras evening, preparations | | | | corporate houses have also come up with the |
| are made for a sacred bath to be taken early | | | | novel idea of corporate gifting to their employees |
| next day - on Narakchaturdashi. Water pots are | | | | and clients on the occasion of Dhanteras. |