Dhanteras 2025, marking the auspicious start of the five-day Diwali festival, falls on Saturday, October 18 this year. This vibrant Hindu festival is dedicated to inviting wealth, health, and prosperity, honoring Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari. Celebrate with meaningful rituals, shopping tips, and festive traditions that enrich your home and spirit for the year ahead.
What Is Dhanteras and Why Is It Celebrated in 2025?
Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanvantari Jayanti, is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. In 2025, this auspicious day falls on October 18. It marks the beginning of Diwali festivities and honors Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, and Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda and health. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan on this day, symbolizing divine wealth and prosperity entering the world.
Why Do People Buy Gold and Silver on Dhanteras?
Buying gold and silver on Dhanteras is an age-old tradition in India, deeply rooted in spiritual symbolism, cultural beliefs, and wise financial planning. This ritual goes beyond acquiring luxury items—it’s seen as a powerful way to attract the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of wealth, purity, and prosperity, and Lord Dhanvantari, associated with health and well-being.
What Is the Mythological and Spiritual Basis for This Tradition?
The custom is anchored in ancient stories. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi is believed to have emerged from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean), holding a pot of gold. Bringing gold or silver into the home on Dhanteras is regarded as inviting her blessings for the year, symbolizing purity, good luck, and new beginnings. Another legend highlights a clever queen who used a dazzling display of gold and lamps to save her husband from untimely death—signaling that gold brings protection and wards off negativity.
Why Do Gold and Silver Hold Such Special Significance?
Gold stands for wealth, purity, and long-term prosperity. It is believed to have the power to attract positive energy and enhance one’s fortune. Purchasing gold—especially coins or jewelry embossed with Goddess Lakshmi or Lord Ganesha—is considered exceptionally auspicious.
Silver represents strength, balance, and good health. Its association with the moon deity Chandra is thought to provide emotional stability and peace. The act of acquiring silver items or coins on Dhanteras is believed to amplify family wellness and spiritual harmony.
What Are the Auspicious Timings (Muhurat) to Celebrate Dhanteras 2025?
The auspicious timings, or shubh muhurat, for Dhanteras 2025 are based on detailed astrological calculations to ensure spiritual and material prosperity. Dhanteras will be celebrated on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Here’s an expanded explanation of the timings and their significance, along with city-wise nuances and practical guidance for rituals and shopping.
What Are the Key Muhurat Windows for Dhanteras 2025?
Dhanteras Puja Muhurat: The most widely agreed shubh muhurat for the main Lakshmi and Dhanvantari puja is between 7:12 PM and 8:20 PM, with slight variation according to location. This interval falls within the Pradosh Kaal, considered to amplify wealth-attracting rituals.
Trayodashi Tithi: The Trayodashi lunar phase (the thirteenth tithi), which forms the astrological basis for Dhanteras, starts on October 18 at around 12:18 PM and ends on October 19 at 1:51 PM.
Pradosh Kaal: For Dhanteras 2025, the evening period known as Pradosh Kaal falls from approximately 5:45 PM to 8:20 PM. This period, spanning sunset, is optimal for both shopping and worship, enhancing the auspiciousness of all activities.
City-Wise Timings: The muhurat may differ by city. For example, in Noida, it is 7:15 PM to 8:19 PM; in Chennai, it’s 7:28 PM to 8:15 PM; and in Ahmedabad, 7:44 PM to 8:41 PM. Always consult a trusted local Panchang for accurate city-based timings.
Why Do Muhurat and Tithi Matter for Dhanteras Shopping and Puja?
Performing rituals during these auspicious intervals is believed to maximize divine blessings, enhance financial growth, and secure a year of good fortune. The alignment with the Pradosh Kaal and Trayodashi Tithi helps channel positive lunar and planetary energies traditionally associated with wealth, health, and household harmony.
What Are the Stepwise Recommendations for Rituals and Shopping?
Begin with home or office cleaning in the late morning, as soon as Trayodashi Tithi starts around 12:18 PM.
Start shopping for gold, silver, utensils, and symbolic items in the early afternoon onward, with the most powerful window being the late evening muhurat.
Schedule the main Dhanteras puja ceremony just after sunset, within the Pradosh Kaal, aligning your offerings and prayers for maximum spiritual merit.
Can Dhanteras Shopping Spill Over to October 19?
Most traditions emphasize completing purchases and rituals on October 18, since Pradosh Kaal and the majority of Trayodashi tithi overlap that day. However, cities observing lunar astrological methods may allow for auspicious shopping until the tithi ends at 1:51 PM on October 19, if you miss the main window.
Here is a complete guide on Hanuman Jayanti
How Do Ritual Timings Influence the Spiritual Energy of the Day?
Choosing the correct muhurat syncs individual and family efforts with cosmic cycles, believed to open doors to abundance and happiness. Lighting diyas, worshiping with family, and making thoughtful purchases during the shubh muhurat are all seen as invitations for prosperity to enter your home for the year to come.
What this means for you: To fully honor the spirit of Dhanteras 2025, align your shopping and puja activities with the shubh muhurat in the evening, tailoring exact timings to your city. This increases the auspicious impact and harmonizes your celebration with generations of tradition and spiritual wisdom.
What Are the Traditional Rituals and Puja Practices on Dhanteras?
Dhanteras puja involves worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari for wealth and health blessings. Devotees clean and decorate their homes with diyas (oil lamps) and rangoli patterns. Lakshmi-Kubera puja is performed with offerings of sweets, flowers, and incense. Lighting yamadeepam (lamp for Lord Yama) is common in the evening to ward off untimely death and promote longevity. Families also prepare for the upcoming Diwali by buying new utensils and household items as symbols of prosperity.
What Items Should You Buy on Dhanteras 2025 for Good Luck?
The traditional Dhanteras rituals center around invoking divine blessings for wealth, health, and family protection through systematic, heartfelt worship that blends ancient customs with community spirit and modern convenience.
How Do Families Prepare Their Homes for Dhanteras Puja?
Preparations begin days in advance. Families thoroughly clean and declutter homes, especially the entrances and puja rooms, as cleanliness symbolizes inviting Goddess Lakshmi. Decorative rangoli patterns, auspicious footprints, and rows of earthen diyas (oil lamps) are placed at doorways to welcome prosperity.
What Items and Deities Are Involved in the Puja Setup?
Idols/photos of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesh, Lord Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari are arranged on a red cloth at the altar or northeast corner.
Offerings include fresh flowers, fruits, sweets (boondi laddoo, kheer), coins, turmeric, rice grains, scented incense, and panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee).
What Is the Step-by-Step Puja Ritual on Dhanteras?
Initiation: Families wear fresh traditional attire, gather at the altar, and light multiple diyas (usually 13, matching the Trayodashi tithi), with one kept lit all night for protection and continuous blessings.
Invoking Deities: The puja starts with prayers to Lord Ganesh to remove obstacles, followed by offerings and mantras for Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and Kubera.
Mantras and Aarti: Devotees chant sacred mantras such as “Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah” and “Om Dhanvantaraye Namaha,” rotating the diya for the Lakshmi aarti, symbolizing a prayer for fortunes and health.
Yamadeepam Ritual: At dusk, families light a lamp (yamadeepam) and place it outside the main door to invoke Lord Yama’s protection against untimely death and misfortune.
Offerings and Prasad: Items like sweets and fruits are presented, and prasad is shared among family and neighbors, reinforcing community bonds and spreading joy.
End and Distribution: After prayers for health, wealth, and harmony, prasad—spiritual food—is distributed, and some families donate to the needy, further multiplying the festival’s blessings.
Special Rituals and Regional Customs
Some regions emphasize starting new account books, purchasing household utensils (brass, copper, silver), or buying gold as symbols of progress, while East Indian families may prepare for Kali puja or place emphasis on family gatherings and sweet distributions. Business owners often perform expanded Lakshmi-Kubera puja and distribute sweets for prosperous returns.
Are There Any Zodiac-Specific Buying Recommendations for Dhanteras?
Astrologically, certain purchases on Dhanteras can benefit individuals based on their zodiac signs. For example, Scorpios (Vrishchik Rashi) are advised to buy vehicles or gold, while Sagittarians (Dhanu Rashi) are recommended to buy brass utensils and gold coins. Such personalized shopping is believed to enhance the positive effects of the festival’s blessings for each individual’s financial and spiritual well-being.
How Does Dhanteras Fit Into the Larger Diwali Festival Timeline?
Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Diwali celebrations. It is followed by Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali), Diwali (Lakshmi Puja), Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. Each day carries its own significance and rituals, with Dhanteras focusing particularly on wealth accumulation and health through worship and purchases. The five days together symbolize victory over darkness and the ushering in of light, abundance, and joy.
What Are Some Modern Trends and Tips for Celebrating Dhanteras in 2025?
With evolving lifestyles, many people now blend traditional practices with contemporary methods. Alongside buying physical gold jewelry, many invest in Sovereign Gold Bonds or gold ETFs for financial returns. Digital pujas and online shopping are gaining popularity, allowing devotees to participate safely and conveniently. Thoughtful shopping with a focus on quality and spirituality, combined with home decoration and sincere prayers, enhances the overall Dhanteras experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dhanteras 2025
When is Dhanteras celebrated in 2025?
Dhanteras falls on October 18, 2025, Saturday.What is the significance of Dhanteras?
It marks the beginning of Diwali and honors Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari for wealth and health.What are the auspicious timings for Dhanteras puja in 2025?
The best muhurat is from 7:12 PM to 8:20 PM on October 18.What items are traditionally bought on Dhanteras?
Gold, silver, brass or copper utensils, electronics, vehicles, and auspicious household items.Can I buy steel or glass items on Dhanteras?
It is generally advised to avoid steel, iron, aluminum, or glass items during Dhanteras.Is buying gold on Dhanteras a good investment?
Yes, as it is believed to bring prosperity and financial stability, and many also consider modern investment options like Sovereign Gold Bonds.How is Dhanteras celebrated across India?
Celebrations vary regionally but generally include puja, decorating homes, shopping, and lighting diyas.What is the story behind Dhanteras?
It commemorates the emergence of Goddess Lakshmi during the Samudra Manthan and Lord Dhanvantari bringing the elixir of life.Are there special rituals for business owners on Dhanteras?
Yes, many business owners perform Lakshmi-Kubera puja to seek blessings for growth and prosperity.Can I perform Dhanteras puja online?
Yes, digital and virtual pujas have become popular for convenience and participation from afar.
