Dhanteras 2025 – Date, Puja Time, Rituals, and Significance
Introduction
The festival season in India begins with great enthusiasm and devotion, and one of the most awaited festivals is Dhanteras. In 2025, Dhanteras will be celebrated on Saturday, 18 October 2025. Also known as Dhanatrayodashi, this day marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival and is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the God of Health, and Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity.
Dhanteras is considered an auspicious day to buy gold, silver, new utensils, or property, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity for the upcoming year.
Significance of Dhanteras
The term Dhanteras comes from two Sanskrit words — ‘Dhan’ meaning wealth and ‘Teras’ meaning the thirteenth day. It falls on the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. According to mythology, this day is associated with Lord Dhanvantari, who emerged from the ocean during Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean) carrying a pot of nectar, symbolizing health and immortality.
People worship Lord Kubera (the God of wealth) and Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and well-being. Dhanteras is also considered an ideal time to start new business ventures or make significant investments.
Dhanteras 2025: Date and Puja Timings
🗓️ Date: Saturday, 18 October 2025
🌅 Dhanteras Puja Muhurat: 6:59 PM to 8:36 PM (IST)
🕯️ Trayodashi Tithi Begins: 17 October 2025 at 04:27 PM
🌙 Trayodashi Tithi Ends: 18 October 2025 at 02:52 PM
The best time for Dhanteras Puja is during the Pradosh Kaal, which falls after sunset and lasts around two hours. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera during this time brings wealth, success, and peace.
Rituals and Puja Vidhi
Dhanteras is celebrated with great devotion and specific rituals across India. Here’s how devotees typically perform the Dhanteras Puja:
Cleaning and Decoration:
Homes and business spaces are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with rangoli, diyas, and flowers. The entrance is adorned with footprints of Goddess Lakshmi symbolizing her arrival.Buying Precious Metals:
Purchasing gold, silver, or new utensils on Dhanteras is believed to invite prosperity. Many people also invest in electronics, vehicles, or property as a mark of good luck.Lighting Diyas:
In the evening, earthen lamps (diyas) are lit at entrances and throughout the home to drive away negative energies and invite positive vibrations.Lakshmi and Kubera Puja:
Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and Lord Kubera by chanting mantras and offering sweets, flowers, and coins. Some also keep a small idol or coin of Lakshmi and Kubera together during puja.Health and Well-being Rituals:
Since Lord Dhanvantari is associated with health, people also pray for good physical and mental well-being, often offering Tulsi leaves and Ayurvedic herbs during the ritual.
Mythological Legends Associated with Dhanteras
According to ancient legend, King Hima’s son was predicted to die by a snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage. However, his clever wife kept him awake all night by narrating stories and lighting numerous lamps around the house. She placed her jewelry and gold coins in a heap near the door, dazzling the serpent when it arrived. The snake, blinded by the brilliance, could not enter the room and quietly left — saving the prince’s life.
From that day on, lighting lamps and buying gold on Dhanteras became a symbol of protecting life and attracting prosperity.
Regional Celebrations of Dhanteras
Dhanteras is celebrated with unique traditions across India:
North India: Homes are illuminated with diyas, and people prepare sweets like laddoos and kheer.
Maharashtra: Families worship Yama Deepam by lighting lamps to ward off untimely death.
South India: Known as Dhanvantri Trayodashi, people perform special prayers for health and longevity.
Gujarat: This day also marks the start of the new financial year for many Gujarati businesses, with elaborate Lakshmi Puja rituals.
Foods and Festive Preparations
Traditional sweets and snacks like besan ladoo, chakli, namak pare, and soan papdi are prepared. Markets are filled with lights, diyas, gold ornaments, and festive décor. Families begin preparations for Diwali, which follows Dhanteras, by decorating homes and making rangoli patterns at entrances.
Eco-Friendly Dhanteras
In recent years, there’s a growing movement toward celebrating Dhanteras responsibly. People are opting for eco-friendly diyas, biodegradable decorations, and sustainable gifts to reduce waste and environmental impact while keeping the festive spirit alive.
Conclusion
Dhanteras 2025, celebrated on 18 October (Saturday), marks the beginning of joy, light, and prosperity. It reminds us that true wealth lies not only in material possessions but also in health, happiness, and harmony. By performing the rituals with devotion and gratitude, families invite divine blessings and set the tone for a prosperous Diwali ahead.
Let this Dhanteras bring you good fortune, well-being, and endless happiness!
FAQs
Dhanteras 2025
Dhanteras will be celebrated on Saturday, 18 October 2025. The festival marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations and is considered an auspicious day for buying gold, silver, and new utensils to invite prosperity and good fortune into homes.
Dhanteras is celebrated to honor Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health. The festival signifies the importance of prosperity, health, and happiness in one’s life. It also marks the day Lord Dhanvantari emerged from the ocean during Samudra Manthan carrying a pot of nectar.
On Dhanteras, people clean and decorate their homes, light diyas, and perform Lakshmi and Dhanvantari Puja in the evening. It is customary to buy gold, silver, or utensils, as these symbolize wealth and prosperity. Devotees also light 13 diyas at their doorsteps to ward off negative energies and invite good luck.
Purchasing gold, silver, steel, or brass items is considered highly auspicious on Dhanteras. Many people also invest in jewelry, new utensils, electronic goods, or even vehicles. Even a small silver coin or diya bought on this day is believed to bring good luck and positive energy.
Spiritually, Dhanteras reminds us that true wealth lies in good health, knowledge, and positivity, not just material riches. Lighting diyas symbolizes removing darkness and ignorance, while worshipping Lakshmi and Dhanvantari invokes blessings for both prosperity and well-being.