The first day of the five-day Diwali celebration, Dhanteras, heralds a lucky beginning to one of the most observed holidays in India. Dhanteras is devoted to riches, health, and prosperity falling on the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin. Dhanteras will be observed Tuesday, October 21st, 2025. For Hindus all around, this day has great spiritual, cultural, and financial importance.

Significance of Dhanteras

1. The Festival of Prosperity and Wealth

The phrase “Dhanteras” combines the words “Dhan,” which means wealth, and “Teras,” which means the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight. Devotees honour Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Dhanvantari, the God of Ayurveda and health, on this day. Purchasing new cutlery or precious metals on this day is thought to bring wealth and good fortune into one’s household.

2. The Relationship Between Diwali and Dhanteras

The Diwali celebrations begin on Dhanteras. It establishes the mood for the major festivities that follow, such as Bhai Dooj, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Naraka Chaturdashi. It’s a day to get the house ready, buy necessities, clean and decorate, and start business or financial endeavours.

3. The Significance of Astrology

Vedic Astrology states that Dhanteras is the best day to buy gold, silver, real estate, and automobiles. It is thought that the Trayodashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha contains potent vibrations that can draw wealth and drive out negativity. To perform Dhanteras puja or make significant purchases, many astrologers also recommend particular Lagna timings and Nakshatra alignments.

Legends Associated with Dhanteras

1. Lord Dhanvantari’s Emergence

Lord Dhanvantari’s appearance from the swirling cosmic ocean is the most well-known myth connected to Dhanteras (Samudra Manthan). As the divine doctor, he came out with holy books on Ayurveda and a pot of Amrit, the nectar of immortality. For practitioners of health and wellness, Dhanteras is particularly important because it is commemorated as the birth of Ayurveda.

2. The Son of King Hima: A Legend

The 16-year-old son of King Hima is the subject of another well-known tale. His horoscope predicted that on the fourth day of his marriage, he would be bitten by a snake and die. In an effort to keep him awake, his wife set up lamps and decorations throughout the room and sang and told him stories. The God of Death, Yama, was blinded by the light and glitter and silently withdrew when he appeared as a serpent. This story highlights the protective nature of Dhanteras and explains why purchasing metals and lighting lamps are regarded as auspicious.

3. The Earthly Visit of Goddess Lakshmi

It is thought that on this day, Goddess Lakshmi selected Vishnu as her consort after emerging from the ocean of milk while it was churning. She has since been revered on Dhanteras for bringing prosperity and wealth. By keeping their homes tidy, making rangolis, and lighting lamps, people welcome her into their homes.

Dhanteras 2025 Puja Muhurat

Dhanteras in 2025 will be celebrated on Saturday, 18 October 2025. This auspicious day marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival and is observed on the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik.

The evening is the most auspicious time for people living in Siliguri and to perform the Dhanteras Puja:

• Puja Muhurat: 7:44 PM to 8:41 PM IST
• Duration: 57 minutes.
• Pradosh Kaal: 6:11–8:41 p.m.
• Vrishabha Kaal: 7:44–9:42 p.m.

On October 18, 2025, the Trayodashi Tithi starts at 12:18 PM and ends on October 19, 2025, at 1:51 PM.

Rituals During Dhanteras

1. Decoration and Cleaning

Houses are meticulously cleaned and embellished with lights, rangoli, and flowers. Cleaning is a metaphor for clearing the house of both external and internal pollutants so that heavenly energies can enter.

2. Purchasing Utensils and Metals

On Dhanteras, purchasing gold, silver, or new cutlery is customary. A modest purchase is regarded as auspicious. It is said that performing this ritual will appease Goddess Lakshmi and draw wealth.

3. Puja of Dhanteras

To honour Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi, a special puja is held in the evening. Prayers are offered for prosperity, health, and well-being, and diyas (oil lamps) are lit to ward off evil spirits.

4. The Yamadeepdaan

To avoid premature death in the family, people light a diya outside their homes for Yama, the God of Death, in remembrance of the tale of King Hima’s son. As a sign of respect, this diya is kept burning all night long.

5. Celebrations in the Business Community

Dhanteras is a particularly significant day for the business community. Invoking blessings for a prosperous fiscal year, many stores and commercial establishments perform Lakshmi Puja and begin new accounting records, a custom known as Chopda Pujan.

Deeper Insights Into The Significance of Dhanteras

To really understand Dhanteras, you have to consider its rich cultural, spiritual, and astrological past. The following are some more facts that bring out the festival even more.

1. Kubera’s Connection with Wealth

Kubera, the God of Wealth and the treasurer of the gods, is also prayed to on Dhanteras. As per ancient scriptures, Kubera had done intense penance to appease Lord Shiva, who, in turn, assigned him the task of protecting divine wealth. Offerings to Kubera on Dhanteras are believed to attract his blessings of financial security.

2. The Samudra Manthan Background

Samudra Manthan (churning of the sea) was not just the beginning of Dhanvantari but also yielded the other heavenly bodies such as Kalpavriksha (wish-yielding tree), Kamadhenu (heavenly cow), and Lakshmi herself. The idea here is that togetherness and determination yield immense dividends—material as well as spiritual.

3. Astrology and Dhanteras 2025

Dhanteras 2025 holds significance from an astrological perspective. The Trayodashi Tithi begins on the evening of October 20 and continues until the evening of October 21. The well-disposed planets Venus and Jupiter are in favorable positions during the period, and thanks to this, rituals become more powerful.

4. Good Lagna timings

Vedic astrologers recommend that Lakshmi Puja be performed in Pradosh Kaal, i.e., after sunset, to gain maximum benefit. In 2025, Pradosh Kaal will be between 5:45 PM to 8:15 PM (IST), and hence this is the most important time to worship.

5. Nakshatra Influence

The principal star on Dhanteras 2025 is Rohini, which is governed by the Moon. Rohini is associated with wealth, luxury, and beauty—perfectly in line with the essence of Dhanteras.

Conclusion

Dhanteras is a beautiful blend of devotion, health awareness, wealth accumulation, and cultural celebration. Whether it’s lighting diyas to ward off darkness, honoring Ayurveda, or making that symbolic purchase of metal, every ritual on Dhanteras carries a deeper significance. As we celebrate Dhanteras in 2025, let us strive to uphold its spiritual essence while embracing modernity in a conscious, eco-friendly, and meaningful way.