DHANTERAS 2010

Dhanteras Festival, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanwantari Triodasi, falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October/November). In the word Dhanteras, “Dhan” stands for wealth. On Dhanteras Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Hence Dhan Teras holds a lot more significance for the business community.

Preparations
Entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights.

Traditions
On Dhanteras Hindus consider it good to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. People conducted “Laxmi-Puja” in the evenings when tiny Diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. “Bhajans”-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are also sung.

Celebrations
Dhanteras is celebrated with full enthusiasm to welcome the big Hindu Festival Deepawali. In North India children use to play with crackers and enlighten there house.
In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income.

This Year Dhanteras is scheduled on 3^rd November 2010.

Wish You all a very HAPPY DHANTERAS