Mark your calendars for October 18, 2025. It is the blessed day of Dhanteras. This day will light up Indian homes with the promise of wealth, health, and divine favour. Being the golden portal to the five-day Diwali extravaganza, Dhanteras is a day of deep significance that goes beyond material riches, intertwining myths of old, religious fervour, and timeless customs.
Understanding Dhanteras: More Than Just Wealth
Dhanteras, which is a combination of two Sanskrit terms “Dhan” (prosperity) and “Teras” (thirteenth), is the thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha during the Kartik month.
This holy day celebrates not only material wealth but the divine trio of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, Lord Dhanvantari for wellness, and Lord Kubera for treasures.
The origins of the festival date back to the cosmic event of Samudra Manthan (churning of the Ocean of Milk), where Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari emerged with the promise of abundance and the nectar of eternal wellness. The divine emergence made Dhanteras a day when spiritual balance and worldly prosperity come together at the very onset of Diwali festivities.
Dhanteras 2025: Dates and Auspicious Timings
Festival Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Key Timings:
- Trayodashi Tithi: From 12:18 PM on October 18, 2025, to 1:51 PM on October 19, 2025
- Dhanteras Puja Muhurat: 7:16 PM to 8:20 PM (New Delhi)
- Pradosh Kaal: 5:48 PM to 8:20 PM
The prolonged muhurta gives the traditional Dhanteras rituals and auspicious gold and silver buying, known to bring enduring fortune, enough time.
The Sacred Legends Behind Dhanteras
The Tale of King Hima’s Son
One of the most interesting legends surrounding Dhanteras is about King Hima. His son was destined to be killed by snakebite on his fourth wedding day. The clever wife of the young prince came up with a wise plan to trick death itself. She decked their room with gold jewelry, silver coins, and a multitude of lighted lamps. She also sang songs and told tales all night to keep her husband awake.
The god of death, Yama, came in the guise of a serpent. He was blinded by the glittering show of affluence. He was captivated by the alluring songs. Not being able to enter the room, Yama passed the whole night hearing the songs and left at sunrise, leaving the life of the prince alive. This legend is the reason that lighting diyas and showing affluence on Dhanteras is said to keep untimely death away and attract divine blessings.
The Divine Emergence from Samudra Manthan
The cosmic turmoil of the Ocean of Milk is the strongest mythological basis of Dhanteras. In this grand event, Lord Dhanvantari appeared holding the Amrit Kalash (vessel of nectar) with the elixir of immortality, making this day sacred for longevity and health. At the same time, Goddess Lakshmi appeared with the prospect of prosperity, which also makes Dhanteras an auspicious day to invite material as well as spiritual prosperity.
Important Rituals and Celebrations
The Holy Puja Vidhi
The puja of Dhanteras is conducted in the evening Pradosh Kaal with careful planning. The process starts with the setup of a sacred altar with red cloth, and idols or photographs of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari are then placed upon it.
Puja Items Required:
- Kalash (copper or brass vessel) filled with water, decorated with mango leaves and coconut
- Fresh flowers, especially marigolds, roses, and jasmine
- Traditional sweets such as laddoos, pedas, and barfi
- Panchamrit (blend of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar)
- Incense sticks, camphor, and sandalwood paste
- Diyas and ghee for lighting
The Sacred Ritual of 5 Diyas
Among the most notable traditions is lighting 13 diyas placed strategically around the house. Every diya has a specific function:
- First diya: Position in the south corner for Yama, stopping premature death
- Second diya: In the puja area in the northeast, satisfying Goddess Lakshmi
- Third diya: For protection at the front door
- Fourth diya: Beside the holy Tulsi plant for cleansing
- Fifth diya: On the spotless rooftop for protection of the house
- Sixth diya: near Peepal Tree for health and Prosperity
- Seventh diya: Nearby Temple (Other then your Home Temple)
- Eighth diya: Near Trash in order to wardoff negativity
- Ninth Diya: Near water resources
- Tenth diya: on Rooftop
- Eleventh diya: near window
- Twelth diya: at terrace to celebrate
- Thirteenth diya: at the centre of the house
The Yama Deepam ritual holds special importance. A special four-faced diya is made of wheat flour is filled with mustard oil and oriented towards the south to worship Lord Yama. The eldest member of the house lightens the dia once everybody is back home. Also, none is allowed to leave the house once the diya is lit.
Don’t forget to check Dhanteras Shopping Guide: What not to buy this Dhanteras 2025
The gold purchasing muhurat lasts only for 19 hours. It starts at 10:48 AM on October 18 and ends at 6:19 AM on October 19, 2025, allowing plenty of time to shop.
Regional Celebrations Across India
North India
In Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, families go extensively diyas lighting and conducting elaborate Lakshmi Pujas using traditional mantras. The focus is still on buying gold and silver as symbols of prosperity.
South India
Southern states celebrate as “Dhanalakshmi Pooja,” with elaborate kolam designs and complete Ayudha Puja, with tools and vehicles being worshipped along with deities.
West India
Maharashtra follows the special custom of “Vasu Baras” where cows and calves are worshiped, representing the divine relationship of humans with animals. Special naivedya are also made by families with coriander seeds and jaggery.
East India
Bengal celebrates as “Kali Chaudas,” with specific focus on worshipping Goddess Kali to protect against evil forces.
The Health Connection: National Ayurveda Day
Dhanteras falls on National Ayurveda Day, celebrating Lord Dhanvantari as the father of Ayurveda. Families conduct special Dhanvantari Puja by offering Panchamrit, tulsi, and neem leaves, reciting healing mantras for longevity and immunity. This double meaning turns Dhanteras into a festival of material prosperity as well as physical health.
Modern Adaptations and Online Trends
The digital era has revolutionized Dhanteras shopping, with remarkable increases in online sales of gold, silver, and traditional products. Online websites now carry Dhanteras special collections, allowing busy families to continue traditions while enjoying modern convenience. Gift wrapping and decorative packaging have become popular, bringing sophistication to traditional buys.
The Deeper Spiritual Significance
Behind the sparkling buys and grand ceremonies, Dhanteras is a deep spiritual cleansing for Diwali. The festival prompts families to purify their homes and hearts, cultivate gratitude for present blessings, and make positive intentions for the future. The lighting of diyas signifies the expulsion of inner shadows, while buying new things signifies hope in future prosperity.
Goddess Lakshmi’s worship goes beyond worldly wealth to include spiritual richness, domestic tranquility, and the wisdom to manage resources. The blessing from Lord Dhanvantari also informs us that good health and well-being are part of true prosperity, allowing for a balanced philosophy of prosperity.
Conclusion: Embracing the Golden Tradition
Dhanteras 2025 presents a lovely chance to merge ancient knowledge with modern life. As households throughout India ready their residences, they ignite their diyas. They also complete their auspicious shopping on October 18, 2025. In doing so, they become part of a ritual that has nourished populations for thousands of years.
The attraction of the festival is its holistic approach to wellness – celebrating material success and also underlining health, family harmony, and spiritual development. Whatever the purchase of a humble diya or an expensive metal, every action being done with devotion and thanksgiving forms part of the golden string that interlaces the tapestry of this awe-inspiring festival.
As the initial rays of Diwali’s divine light, Dhanteras 2025 will fill houses with hope, hearts with joy, and lives with the eternal blessings of wealth, health, and bliss.
