A Complete Guide to Dhanteras Puja: How to Celebrate Prosperity and Well-being

A Complete Guide to Dhanteras Puja: How to Celebrate Prosperity and Well-being

Introduction: Dhanteras, the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and among the Indian diaspora worldwide. This auspicious day is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and healing, as well as Lord Kubera, the god of wealth. It is believed that worshipping them on this day brings prosperity, good health, and wealth. If you’re planning to celebrate Dhanteras at home, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to conduct Dhanteras Puja to invite positive energy into your life.

Significance of Dhanteras

Dhanteras, also known as Dhan Trayodashi, falls on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of Ashvin (according to the Hindu lunar calendar). On this day, people worship Lord Dhanvantari, who is believed to have emerged from the ocean of milk carrying the nectar of immortality. In addition to praying for health and wealth, many people buy gold, silver, or new utensils as a symbol of good fortune.

Preparations for Dhanteras Puja

Before starting the puja, it’s important to prepare the house and puja space properly. Here’s what you need:

1. Clean and Purify the Space:
   • Clean the house, especially the area where the puja will take place. It’s considered inauspicious to perform any religious activity in an unclean environment.
   • You may sprinkle water with a few drops of rose water or sandalwood to purify the air.
2. Puja Items Required:
   • A small idol or picture of Lord Dhanvantari and Lord Kubera.
   • Fresh flowers (usually marigolds or other fragrant flowers).
   • Incense sticks (agarbattis).
   • A lamp (diya), ideally with ghee or sesame oil.
   • Coconut – symbolizing prosperity.
   • Fruits and sweets as offerings to the deities.
   • Puja thali – a plate to arrange offerings.
   • Gold or silver items (optional but recommended, such as coins or jewelry).
   • Water in a copper or brass container (symbolizing purity).
   • Rice and barley (symbolizing abundance).
   • Ganga jal (holy water) – if available.
   • Holy basil (Tulsi) leaves.
3. Lighting:
   • It’s customary to light a diya (oil lamp) in the evening. Traditionally, diyas are lit to drive away darkness and bring light into one’s life.

Step-by-Step Process for Dhanteras Puja

Step 1: Setting Up the Puja Area

• Place the idols or pictures of Lord Dhanvantari and Lord Kubera on the altar or puja table.
• Arrange all the puja items on the thali. Ensure that the area is clean and free of any disturbances.

Step 2: Welcoming the Gods

• Begin by offering a small prayer to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, to clear the path for a successful puja.
• Light the incense sticks and diya and place them near the deities.
• Offer water to Lord Dhanvantari, which is believed to remove ailments and promote health.

Step 3: Prayers to Lord Dhanvantari

• Recite the following mantra to invoke Lord Dhanvantari:
  • “Om Dhanvantre Namah” – A mantra for health and healing.
• Offer flowers and light a diya in front of Lord Dhanvantari’s idol or picture.
• Pray for good health, wellness, and a long life for yourself and your loved ones.

Step 4: Prayers to Lord Kubera

• Recite the Kubera mantra for wealth and prosperity:
  • “Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadi Pataye Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanam Dehi Dhanam Dehi”.
• Offer the fruits and sweets to Lord Kubera and ask for blessings in the form of wealth, prosperity, and success.

Step 5: Offering Gold or Silver Items

• After invoking the gods, it is customary to offer gold or silver items such as coins, jewelry, or utensils. This represents the welcoming of wealth into your home. If purchasing new items is not possible, you may simply offer any small gold or silver articles you have at home.

Step 6: Prayers for Family and Business

• During the puja, remember to pray for the well-being of your family members, friends, and colleagues. If you run a business, pray for its success and smooth operations in the coming year.

Step 7: Aarti and Gratitude

• Sing the Aarti dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari and Lord Kubera to express your gratitude for their blessings.
• Aarti can be sung or recited from a prayer book. This ritual is a way to express devotion and seek divine blessings.

Step 8: Concluding the Puja

• Once the prayers are complete, conclude the puja by offering your heartfelt thanks to the deities.
• Distribute the prasad (offering) among family members.
• You can also keep a few coins or gold pieces in your puja room as a token of good fortune.

Post-Puja Rituals

1. Buying Gold or New Utensils: It is an age-old tradition to purchase at least a small amount of gold, silver, or new utensils on Dhanteras. This signifies the arrival of wealth and ensures prosperity for the household. The act of buying gold or silver is believed to invite positive energy into your life.
2. Lighting Diyas in the Evening: As evening approaches, it is customary to light diyas outside your home, in the windows, or on balconies to dispel negative energy and invite prosperity.

Conclusion

Dhanteras Puja is not only an occasion for spiritual reflection and prayer but also an opportunity to invite prosperity and good health into your life. With the right rituals, devotion, and mindset, you can celebrate this auspicious day and set the tone for a year filled with abundance, well-being, and happiness.

May the blessings of Lord Dhanvantari and Lord Kubera bring you health, wealth, and happiness this Dhanteras and always!

Feel free to adjust or personalize this guide based on your family’s traditions or practices. Enjoy your celebration and have a prosperous year ahead!