Dhanteras

1 Two gods from the same churning

Dhanteras traces back to Samudra Manthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean by gods and demons in search of Amrita, the nectar of immortality. Among the treasures that rose out of that churning were two figures central to this day: Lord Kuber, keeper of the gods' wealth, and Lord Dhanvantari, the physician-god of Ayurveda, who emerged carrying the vessel of Amrita itself. Because both arrived from the same churning, Dhanteras has always honoured them side by side — one god presiding over riches, the other over health, a pairing that sets the tone for everything the day is about.

Dhanteras is really two blessings sought at once: Lakshmi Puja for prosperity, and Dhanvantari Puja alongside it for health and vitality — a reminder that wealth without wellbeing means little. It's easy to think of Dhanteras as just "the gold-buying day," but the day's real logic is older than the shopping: it pairs the god of riches with the god of medicine, because a household that's only wealthy — and not well — hasn't really been blessed at all. Lamps are lit through the evening, both to welcome these blessings in and to begin the illumination that will carry through the rest of Diwali.

2 Buying for luck, on Diwali's opening night

In Mukhed's markets, Dhanteras is when the Diwali season visibly begins — households picking up new utensils or a bit of gold before the evening's lamps are lit. It's the opening act of a sequence that carries straight into Lakshmi Pujan two days later, part of the wider run of celebrations the town marks each year — see the full festival calendar.

3 Dhanvantari, the father of Ayurveda

According to the legend, Dhanvantari didn't simply emerge from the Samudra Manthan carrying the vessel of Amrita — tradition holds that he also brought the knowledge of Ayurveda to humankind, appearing with the nectar in one hand and a sacred text in the other. He is said to have organised Ayurveda into eight branches (ashtanga), laying the groundwork for the Indian system of medicine that followed. It's this link that led the Government of India to begin observing Dhanteras as National Ayurveda Day from 2016 onward, formally recognising the day's connection to health alongside wealth.

That makes Dhanteras a day with a double meaning — honouring the god of wealth on one hand, and on the other, the body of knowledge that has shaped health practice in India for centuries. Many families also mark Dhanvantari Jayanti on this same day, and in some places physicians and health workers hold a special puja to Dhanvantari.

4 How the day is marked differently across India

Dhanteras traditions vary by region. In North India, the emphasis leans heavily toward wealth and buying gold or silver. In South India, particularly in Tamil-speaking areas, the day is known as Dhanatrayodashi, and the focus shifts more toward health — preparing traditional Ayurvedic medicine (marundu) is considered an important part of the observance there.

Many households also observe a separate custom called Yamadeepdan — lighting a lamp outside the main entrance in the evening, facing south. South is associated with Yama, the god of death, and the lamp is believed to offer protection from untimely death and to invite longevity — which makes Dhanteras a festival about a long, healthy life as much as a prosperous one.

5 Buying and lighting lamps — a few practical tips

Markets get crowded on Dhanteras, and it helps to avoid rushed decisions when buying gold or silver. A few simple practical points can make both the shopping and the lamp-lighting part of the evening safer and more satisfying.

• Check for hallmarking and buy only from certified jewellers when purchasing gold or silver.
• Compare rates and making charges across a few shops before committing to a larger purchase.
• When filling diyas with oil or ghee, make sure no flammable curtains or decorations sit close by.
• Keep an eye on children and elderly family members near open flames, especially the lamps lit at doorsteps.

6 Frequently asked questions