Dhanteras 2025: India is set to celebrate Dhanteras 2025 on Saturday, October 18, marking the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival. Also known as Dhantrayodashi, this auspicious day is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, Lord Kubera, the treasurer of riches, and Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine and longevity. Observed on the 13th lunar day (Trayodashi Tithi) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik, Dhanteras holds immense religious, cultural, and spiritual significance for millions across India.
The festival is considered one of the most favorable occasions for buying gold, silver, or new utensils, as such purchases are believed to attract prosperity and positive energy. Markets across the country witness a surge in activity, with families visiting jewelry stores and shopping for auspicious items. Homes and workplaces are cleaned meticulously, decorated with rangoli, fresh flowers, and footprints of Goddess Lakshmi to welcome her blessings. Traditionally, the lighting of lamps (diyas) is a key ritual, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Dhanteras also carries rich mythological significance. According to Hindu legends, during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean), Lord Dhanvantari appeared holding a pot of Amrit (nectar of immortality) and the sacred scriptures of Ayurveda, signifying health, longevity, and healing. Another popular legend narrates the story of King Hima’s son, who was fated to die from a snakebite on Dhanteras. His devoted wife placed gold and silver ornaments at the entrance of their home and lit countless lamps to blind the serpent. The goddess rewarded her devotion, ensuring the child’s safety. This story inspired the tradition of lighting Yama Deepam, lamps to appease Lord Yama, the god of death, safeguarding family members from harm.
On Dhanteras 2025, the Trayodashi Tithi will begin at 12:19 PM and end at 1:52 PM on October 19, with the most auspicious time for Lakshmi Puja (Pradosh Kaal) falling between 7:16 PM and 8:20 PM. During this time, devotees perform elaborate puja rituals, offering sweets, fruits, coins, flowers, and new purchases to the deities while chanting mantras. Families gather together to light diyas and conduct aarti, seeking blessings for wealth, health, and overall prosperity.
While Dhanteras has traditionally been associated with material wealth, its spiritual message extends much further. Worship of Lord Dhanvantari emphasizes the importance of health and well-being, highlighting that wealth without health is incomplete. Many devotees also take this day to start new health routines, express gratitude for their physical and mental wellness, and seek divine protection from illness.
In modern times, the festival has gained widespread social and economic significance. Jewelry shops, metalware stores, and marketplaces record some of the highest sales of the year, reflecting the cultural belief that purchases on Dhanteras bring good fortune. Social media also becomes a hub of festive energy, with families sharing images of decorated homes, new purchases, and evening puja rituals under hashtags like #Dhanteras2025 and #FestivalOfWealth.
Dhanteras serves as the prelude to the grand Diwali celebrations, which continue with Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. Across India, streets and homes light up with diyas, illuminating the night with a message of hope, positivity, and divine blessings. Beyond rituals and wealth, Dhanteras reminds society of the timeless values of devotion, gratitude, and the importance of health, symbolizing a fresh start for families and communities alike.
As Dhanteras 2025 approaches, devotees prepare their homes, gather offerings, and light lamps with devotion, reflecting a culture that honors wealth, health, and spiritual well-being. The festival beautifully blends tradition with modernity, ensuring that the essence of Dhanteras — protection, prosperity, and the triumph of light — continues to thrive in every household.
