October 26, 2024: Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival and is considered an auspicious day for welcoming wealth and prosperity into homes. Performing the Dhanteras Puja correctly can bring blessings and good fortune for the year ahead. Here’s a detailed guide on how to conduct the Dhanteras Puja along with the best timings (muhurat) to follow:
Puja Timings (Muhurat) for Dhanteras 2024
This year, Dhanteras falls on October 28, 2024. The most auspicious time to perform the Dhanteras Puja, known as the Pradosh Kaal Muhurat, is typically during the evening, right after sunset. This period usually lasts for around two hours. Additionally, the Dhanteras Pooja Muhurat is from 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM (IST). It’s best to verify local timings based on your region to align with the most favorable moments.
Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Dhanteras Puja
1. Preparations:
Clean the house thoroughly to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth.
Set up a clean puja area, ideally near the entrance of the home, and place a rangoli or decorative design to welcome divine energies.
- Arrange the necessary items for puja including idols of Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kubera, earthen lamps, incense sticks, flowers, fruits, sweets, and new utensils.
2. Set Up the Altar:
Place idols or pictures of Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kubera on a clean cloth or elevated platform.
Decorate the area with flowers, rangoli, and light diyas (earthen lamps).
Arrange the newly purchased items such as gold, silver, or utensils as an offering to the deities.
3. Offerings and Lighting Diyas:
Begin the puja by lighting a ghee diya at the entrance of your house. It is believed to ward off negative energies and invite positive vibrations.
Offer flowers, sweets, and fruits to the deities as prasad (holy offering).
Place two small earthen lamps (diyas) near the tulsi plant, if you have one, and light them.
4. Chanting and Prayers:
Start by invoking Lord Ganesha, as he is the remover of obstacles. Recite prayers dedicated to him, such as the Ganesh Mantra.
Next, offer prayers to Lord Dhanvantari, who is known as the God of Ayurveda and health. Seek his blessings for good health and well-being.
Worship Goddess Lakshmi with Lakshmi Mantras. Recite the Lakshmi Ashtotram or Shri Suktam to please the Goddess.
Lastly, offer prayers to Lord Kubera, the treasurer of wealth, and seek his blessings for prosperity and financial growth.
5. Lakshmi Puja Rituals:
Draw the Swastik symbol on the floor with turmeric or kumkum (vermilion) to represent auspiciousness.
Place coins, gold, or silver items on the altar. These symbolize wealth and are said to invite prosperity.
Light incense sticks and offer them to the deities while chanting their names. You can also burn camphor for a pleasant aroma.
- Conclude the puja by offering naivedya (sweets) to the deities and performing aarti (a ritual of waving lit lamps) in front of the deities.
6. Lighting Diyas Around the House:
Light earthen lamps (diyas) at the entrance, in the windows, and in every room of the house. It is believed that lighting diyas on Dhanteras dispels darkness and negativity, bringing light, peace, and happiness.
Leave a diya burning overnight as a mark of continuous prosperity and protection.
Significance of Dhanteras Puja
Dhanteras is associated with Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine, who emerged during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) holding a pot of nectar. On this day, people also worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera, seeking blessings for wealth, health, and well-being. Buying gold, silver, and new utensils on Dhanteras is a symbol of bringing fortune and prosperity home.
Conclusion
Dhanteras is a day to cleanse your space, invite positive energy, and welcome prosperity into your home. By performing these rituals with devotion, you set the tone for a prosperous year ahead. May the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and Lord Kubera fill your home with peace, health, and happiness.
