DHANTERAS

[Y V RAMUDU]

                                      DHANTERAS
    

Dhanteras or Dhanatrayodashi falls on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartik (October-November), i.e. two days before Diwali. The word "Dhan" means wealth. New Dhan or some form of precious metal is bought as a sign of good luck. " Dhanteras is essentially Diwali eve. The celebration of Dhanteras is prevalent in east Bihar and northern India.

The Celebrations of Dhanteras
People bathe early in the morning and observe a fast, which is broken only after sunset with sweetmeats, puri and other delicacies. . On Dhanteras, new kitchen utensils are bought and kept at the place of worship. Dhanteras is the festival of wealth. So it means inaugurations and new purchases of expensive possessions. Many Indians set up their businesses, launch new projects, hold housewarming, and buy cars or jewellery on this auspicious day. Most families spent this day by finishing their shopping for the festival.

The Legends of Dhanteras
Accoring to the myth Dhanteras is celebrated in honour of Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods. He is believed to have emerged with a pot of amrita during the samudra manthan .The buying of utensils, according to one theory, relates to the myth of Dhanvantari emerging from the ocean with a pot in his hand. Since he is also the physician of the gods, cleanliness and hygiene are essential to this festival.

There is another very interesting story about this day. As per the horoscope of the sixteen-year-old son of King Hima, he was doomed to die by snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage. To save his life his wife laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. She kept him awake throughout the night.

But Yam, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent .His eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber.

Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "YAMADEEPDAAN" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death.