Vedic Katha

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

Dhanteras opens Diwali with the worship of health and wealth, honouring Dhanvantari, the divine physician who rose from the churning ocean with the…

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…

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…

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 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.

What it means

Dhanteras joins the two kinds of wealth Hindu tradition never separates, arogya (health) and aishwarya (prosperity). Dhanvantari's gift was medicine before it was gold;