Dhanteras: The Story and Meaning of the First Day of Diwali

The first day of the festival

Dhanteras — Dhan-trayodashi, the thirteenth lunar day — opens the five days of Diwali. Dhan means wealth, and the day is devoted to health, prosperity and the clearing-away of the old before the festival of lights begins.

The story of Dhanvantari

Dhanteras honours Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods and an avatar of Vishnu, who arose from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) carrying the pot of amrita, the nectar of immortality, and the knowledge of Ayurveda. Because he brought both healing and the treasure of the deep, the day of his appearance became a day to pray for health and to welcome wealth. A second tale tells of King Hima’s son, saved from death by his clever wife, who piled gold and lamps at the door so that Yama, come as a serpent, was dazzled and turned away — which is why lamps are lit and metal is bought.

Why people buy gold and metal

It is considered auspicious to bring something new and metallic into the home on Dhanteras — gold or silver coins, jewellery, or simply a steel or brass vessel. The new metal is a symbol of Lakshmi entering the house. In the evening, Lakshmi and Kubera, keeper of the gods’ treasury, are worshipped, and the first diyas of Diwali are lit at the threshold.

The deeper meaning

Beneath the buying and polishing, Dhanteras joins two kinds of wealth that Hindu tradition never separates: arogya (health) and aishwarya (prosperity). Dhanvantari’s gift was medicine before it was gold. The day quietly reminds us that the first wealth is a well body and a clear mind, and that fortune is welcomed best into a home that is clean, lit and grateful.