The festival of lights, Diwali is almost here! Dhanteras, which marks the beginning of the five days Diwali festivities, will be celebrated on November 10 this year. Dhanteras, also called "Dhanatrayodashi" or "Dhanvantari Trayodashi," is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated on the 13th day of the Krishna Paksha in Kartik month, as per the Hindu calendar. It generally falls in October or November as per the Gregorian calendar.
The word "Dhanteras" is made up of two Sanskrit words: "Dhana" meaning wealth, and "Teras" meaning the 13th day. On this auspicious day, Hindus worship Lord Dhanvantari, the God of Ayurveda who emerged from Samudra Manthan (the churning of the cosmic ocean) in Hindu mythology, bearing Amrit or the nectar of immortality. Dhanteras is also associated with worshipping of Goddess Lakshmi, as it is believed that on this day the Lakshmiji visits homes and blesses people for wealth and prosperity.
