Do You Know These Amazing Stories Behind Dhanteras Festival

The precious ''Yellow metal -Gold'', is something every Indian woman has to have on her being. Why leave the men behind! Gold ornaments are something that even men have been wearing since the times of Ramayana, Mahabaharata and Indian royalty for centuries.

Dhanteras or 'Dhanatrayodashi as it is known down South is observed on the 13th day of the month of Ashwin (of the Hindu lunar calendar), and is being celebrated on the 25th of October this year.

Considered to be the most auspicious occasion for buying gold, there are many stories behind the how the tradition originated, like all our customs and rituals do.

Have you ever wondered why and how the tradition of buying gold started on Dhanteras?

As per mythology Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi were on a trip to earth as part of their regular sojourns across the universe. Goddess Lakshmi apparently was smitten by the yellow mustard flowers and sugarcane stalks in a field. She was so engrossed looking at them that she paid no heed to Lord Vishnu who was calling out to her as it was time to leave. Angry with her for not paying heed to his words and for getting tempted by the earthly things , Vishnu punished her and told her to work for 12 years at the same fields where she saw the flowers and sugarcane.

Goddess Lakshmi disguised as a labourer, worked alongside the farmer in his fields for 12 years. Unaware that Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi was at his side all these years, the farmer prospered and became wealthy man during this period.

At the end of 12 years, when Goddess Lakshmi was suppose leave, the farmer refused to let her go and offered to pay her more to retain her. Lakshmi had to reveal the fact that she was the Goddess of Wealth and was working in his fields for atonement.

However, she promised the farmer that she would return every year on the day of Dhanteras. The Goddess told him to keep his house clean and light earthen lamps so that she could be guided to his place on the day of Dhanteras every year. Locals heard about his story and other people followed the tradition and prospered as well.

Lord Yama

Another interesting story behind Dhanteras, is that the horoscope of a king's 16-year-old prince named Hima, predicted that he would die on the fourth day of marriage after getting bitten by a snake.

On the 4th day of his marriage, his wife decided to change the course of fate. To make sure her husband did not sleep, she narrated stories to keep him awake.

To lure the snake away,( who was actually Lord Yama in disguise) she laid out a pile of gold ornaments, gold coins and mud lamps at the entrance of the bedroom. Lord Yama who came in the form of the snake, was blinded by the dazzling jewellery and lights. As he couldn't enter the prince's chamber, Lord Yama also spent time listening to the lady's stories and left the place in the morning. As the fourth day passed, the prince's life was spared and his wife thanked Lord Yama for not taking her husband's life.

This is why people also worship Lord Yamaraja, the God of Death in the night and offer lights to seek his blessings on Dhanteras day.

Dhanvantari, God of Health

Another interesting story about Dhanteras is that Lord Dhanvantari, the divine God of health evolved from the ocean that was being churned by the Gods and Demons for the celestial nectar of immortality ,on the day of Dhanteras.

Do you know of any interesting fable or anecdote related to Dhanteras? Then please do share it with us.

Also Read: The Many Mythological Stories Behind Diwali