Celebrating the Essence of Dhanteras

Dhanteras is one of the most auspicious occasions that marks the beginning of the five-day celebrations of the festival of lights – Diwali in Hinduism. It holds a special place in the overall Diwali celebration and has extreme relevance among the Hindu community.

In this space, we are going to get to know this festival up close, learn the story behind it, find out what people do on this occasion, explore the gold buying concept on this date, and much more. With this festival around the corner, this space will serve as a guide to follow to make the most of this pious date.

What is Dhanteras?

Dhanteras is the first of the five-day celebrations of the Diwali festival in Hinduism, and it marks the beginning of the festival of lights in the Indian subcontinent and the world. This Hindu festival is dedicated to prosperity, wealth, and health, and is celebrated in the month of Kartik.

This pious festival is considered a promising day for buying gold, silver, and new utensils to bring in good fortune in the household. Apart from material wealth, Dhanteras also emphasises that true wealth lies in spiritual well-being, family unity, and good health.

The essence of this festival lies in the celebration of wealth and health, since it marks the beginning of Diwali with a special focus on well-being and prosperity. It is an optimistic day to honour Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, and Lord Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of medicine. It is believed that purchasing new items such as gold, silver, and utensils brings good blessings and fortunes for the year ahead.

The Story Behind Dhanteras

The story behind Dhanteras is associated with the churning of the ocean, or Samudra Manthan. It is on this date that Lord Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the physician of the gods, emerged from the ocean with a pot of Amrita (nectar of immortality).

This day led to Dhanteras, which is now celebrated to honour Lord Dhanvantari, who represents Ayurveda and health.

Some ancient texts also suggest that Dhanteras is the day when Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, emerged from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan.

As such, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi is a pivotal part of the festival, and buying new items, especially gold and silver, on Dhanteras is regarded as a way to welcome her prosperity and blessings.

Another popular tale related to Dhanteras is that of a 16-year-old prince, a king's son, who was predicted to die from the bite of a snake on the fourth day of his marriage. In an attempt to save her husband, his new wife made a plan not to let him sleep. She piled coins of gold and silver at the entrance of their chamber and lit numerous lamps to keep the "serpent" distracted.

As such, when Yama, the god of death, arrived in the disguise of a snake, he got mesmerised by the sound of the wife's songs and stories as well as the glittering gold and silver. Being so captivated, he left without claiming the life of the prince, and he remained alive.

This tale is the reason why people buy gold and silver and light lamps on Dhanteras in an attempt to ward off evil and bring longevity and good fortune.

Stories like these explain why Dhanteras is closely tied to both health and wealth, leading people to worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari, and purchase new items to bring in prosperity.

What Do People Do on Dhanteras?

A number of rituals and customs are performed on Dhanteras. People worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari well as Lord Kuber, the god of wealth, on this day.

As it is the start of Diwali, people also clean and decorate their homes with lights and Rangoli (colored patterns) to welcome the pious festival. In addition, many people also light lamps, or Diyas, at the entrance of their homes to ward off evil spirits and welcome good fortune. Beautiful lamps are lit throughout the household to dispel negativity and darkness.

Lord Kuber, the treasurer of the gods, is worshipped for relentless prosperity. Tiny, adorable footprints of Goddess Lakhsmi made of flour paste may be drawn to mark the arrival of the goddess. On top of that, devotional songs and Mantras are sung with much vigour and joy in praise of the deities.

Old or useless items are removed or donated to the needy to free up space for good fortune and help others. Many people also fast from morning until sunset, and break the fast after the evening Puja (worship) by consuming Prasad (holy offerings).

Why Do People Buy Gold on Dhanteras?

The tradition of people buying gold on Dhanteras stems from a combination of cultural, religious, and financial reasons. The tradition is deeply rooted in Hinduism as gold symbolises good fortune and prosperity, while also serving as a wise, sound, and long-term investment for the future.

According to ancient texts, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan with a pot of gold. Therefore, purchasing gold is deemed as a way to invite her presence and blessings into the household for the upcoming year.

As the day is also related to Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health, buying precious metals is considered to bring blessings of prosperity, good health, and longevity.

Culturally, the ritual of purchasing gold on Dhanteras is passed down from generation to generation. It helps strengthen family bonds and connect loved ones to the deeper meaning of the festival. Shopping for gold is usually considered a joyous family activity. Gold is considered sacred not only for its monetary worth but also for the emotional significance it brings, since it is often handed down as an heirloom.

Dhanteras Celebrations in Dubai

Dhanteras in Dubai is widely celebrated, and is marked by major shopping for gold, silver, and other home goods at various malls and souks, which are specially decorated for the festival. Even though private celebrations take place at homes, Dhanteras is also publicly celebrated with various events and fireworks displays at multiple locations across the emirate, such as Dubai Festival City and Downtown Dubai.

People also celebrate with family gatherings, gift-giving, festive sweet exchanges, and special Pujas at temples. Various well-known malls in the city, such as Mall of the Emirates, Wafi Mall, and The Dubai Mall, host pop-up stalls, festive sales, and decorations.

Gold Shopping — The Dubai Way

Dubai has been a trusted global hub for gold shopping for decades, and is renowned for its tax-free purchases, competitive prices, and vast exotic selection. The bustling souks and high-end malls of the emirate offer a splendid and unique shopping experience where people can find everything from modern gold creations to intricate traditional designs of gold.

Diwali in Dubai

Diwali in Dubai is a dynamic, vibrant, and multicultural celebration that is marked by festive events, shopping, and large-scale public displays of fireworks and lights. Even though it is not an official public holiday, the emirate embraces the festival with large-scale events such as the Burj Khalifa light show, vibrant fireworks displays at Global Village and Al Seef, and a bustling ambience in the shopping districts of Meena Bazaar.

Celebrations of Diwali also include traditional aspects of temple Pujas, home decorations, exchanging Diwali sweets, and special Diwali menus at restaurants.

Celebrating Dhanteras and Diwali with MyGovindas

We at MyGovindas bring before you an exotic range of Indian sweets to help you celebrate Dhanteras and Diwali with your loved ones. Celebrate these pious occasions with our corporate gift boxes and sweet boxes that are perfect for your loved ones as well. Be it the Premium Kaju Mix, Classic Khoya Mix, Laddoo Katli Mix, Premium Healthy Zero Sugar Sweet Box, Premium Fancy Sweet Box, Divine Delight Hamper, Mini Dry Fruit Fusion, or Bhaji Box, our celebrations will leave you with plenty of options to choose from.

Visit our branches at Karama, Al Arjan, Jumeirah Lake Towers, or Silicon Oasis, or shop online to get home deliveries to make this festive season a bright and memorable event.