WHEN: Karthik (October/ November)

Dhanteras is observed on the 13th day of Krishna Paksh in the month of Karthik. This is also known as Yamadeep. It is celebrated 2 days before Deepavali. After the Sagar Manthan between the Devtaas and Asuras, Dhanvantri vaid came out of the sea with an Amruth kalash. That is why, Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantri Jayanti.

On this day, we pray for good health and wealth for the family.

Decorated clay idols or photos of Shri Ganesh and Shri Lakshmi are bought from the market. Keep in mind that the trunk of Ganeshji is turned towards the right as it is considered more auspicious. These idols are worshipped on the day of Deepavali.

Silver articles are bought for the house.

Iron, copper or brass utensils are bought for the kitchen.

HOW: Preparation for the puja

• One deepak made out of atta / clay with 4 wicks
• Wicks for the deepak oil / ghee, matchstick
• One shell (cowrie) with a hole
• Flowers, roli, chawal
• Water in panchpatra & a spoon
• Some money
• Pata & aasan
• Kheel & batasha
• Dhoop (sambrani) & dhoop daan
• Chopda with roli, chawal for applying tikka
• Suhali, petha (shakar para)

Method of performing the puja

• In the evening, after seeing the star, the women of the house get together for puja. In some houses both men and women do the puja.
• The four wick deepak is placed on the pata.
• Oil/ghee is put in the Deepak with the four wicks.
• The cowrie shell is placed in the Deepak.
• The Deepak is lit. This is referred to as Yamadeep. This deepak pleases Yamaraj and the pitars / departed ancestors of the family.
• Some water from the panchpatra is sprinkled around the deepak, puja is performed with roli, chawal and money.
• Four suhali and little petha is offered.
• Some people offer kheel and batasha also Dhoop is lit.
• Women performing the puja go around the deepak four times and do pranam.
• The eldest woman of the family or unmarried girl of the house puts tilak from the roli in the chopda to everyone sitting for the puja.
• One male staff member of the house, covers his head with a cloth, takes the lit deepak and keeps it outside on the right side of the main gate. This person is given dakshina.
• After puja, the family members do pranaam to all the people elder to them.