Dhanteras

Origins and legends

The name comes from words meaning wealth and thirteenth. One story tells of a young prince whose death was predicted by a snakebite. His wife placed gold coins and lit many lamps at his door. When Yama, the god of death, arrived, he was blinded by the light. He sat on the pile of coins all night listening to stories. He left without harming the prince. This act created the tradition of lighting lamps to ward off untimely death. Another legend links the day to Dhanvantari. He emerged from the ocean during its churning, holding a pot of healing nectar. He is seen as an avatar of Vishnu and the physician of the gods.

How it is kept

Families thoroughly clean and whitewash their homes before the evening prayers. They draw rangoli patterns with colored powder at the entrance to welcome Lakshmi. Small footprints are made using rice flour and vermilion. Clay lamps called diyas are lit and kept burning through the night. In some villages, farmers adorn and worship their cattle. Women in Maharashtra mix dried coriander seeds with jaggery to offer as sweets. In South India, women prepare a herbal medicine called marundu. This mixture helps balance the body's humors and is eaten before sunrise the next day.

Food and drink

Gujarati families often eat daal baath and malpua to mark the occasion. These dishes ring in the new year for many communities. In Maharashtra, a sweet offering combines jaggery and pounded coriander seeds. This specific mixture is given as naivedya during prayers. In Tamil Nadu, the marundu is prepared on this day. It is consumed early the following morning before dawn. The food serves both as a festive meal and a medicinal practice to maintain health.

Symbolism and meaning

The day celebrates the arrival of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Lighting lamps symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. Buying gold, silver, or kitchenware is considered highly auspicious. New purchases bring good luck and secure prosperity for the coming year. The lights also serve as offerings to Yama. They protect the household from harm during the festival period. The celebration emphasizes renewal, cleansing, and the securing of auspiciousness for the family.

How Dhanteras is kept

Families clean and decorate their homes with rangoli patterns. They light clay lamps and keep them burning through the night. Prayers are offered to Lakshmi and Dhanvantari. People buy gold, silver, or utensils for good fortune. Farmers may worship their cattle. Specific regional foods like marundu or malpua are prepared and shared.

When and where

It falls on the thirteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight. The date varies each year based on the Hindu calendar. It usually occurs in October or November. The exact day depends on whether the amanta or purnimanta tradition is followed.

The festival is widely observed across India and Nepal. It marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations. Regional variations exist in how it is practiced within these countries.

What Dhanteras means

The day represents the removal of darkness and the invitation of wealth. Cleaning the home prepares it for Lakshmi's visit. The lamps protect against death and evil. Buying precious metals signifies attracting prosperity. The entire ritual reinforces themes of health, safety, and abundance.

On the table

• daal baath
• malpua
• jaggery and coriander mixture
• marundu

Flavours: Coriander

Days Dhanteras is marked

Dhanteras dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

Questions people ask about Dhanteras

See also

DiwaliA five-day festival of lights celebrated across India and its diaspora to mark the victory of light over darkness.NowruzThe Iranian new year at the March equinox, kept with fire, greenery and picnicsMawlidAn annual festival marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, marked by poetry, processions and feasts.HoliA spring festival of colours and bonfires that marks the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil.

Good reading and sources

• Dhanteras on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.