Dhanteras 2024 Puja: Step-By-Step Guide For Festive Rituals At Home

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OCTOBER 28,2024

The whole of India is gearing up for Diwali 2024 celebrations, and we cannot wait to celebrate the festival of lights in style. A new year welcomes new hopes and aspirations but with the same old festive rituals.

Dhanteras 2024 marks the first day of Diwali. Usually, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber along with buying auspicious things like gold, silver, copper vessels, diyas, and more to seek divine blessings and manifest financial abundance.

Some also perform Dhanteras puja or certain rituals during Pradosh Kaal, an auspicious time after sunset that lasts for approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. If you're looking for a detailed guide on how to do the Dhanteras puja, here's a step-by-step manual for rituals at home.

But before that, let's understand the significance of this festival and why it is celebrated.

Why is Dhanteras celebrated?

The term Dhanteras is derived from two Sanskrit words: 'Dhan', which denotes wealth, and 'Teras', which means the thirteenth day. This Hindu festival represents wealth, health, and well-being, carrying deep religious significance.

Celebrated with great enthusiasm and spirituality, Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, marks the first day of Diwali. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubar brings in financial abundance and prosperity.

Also Read: Can't Buy Gold Or Silver On Dhanteras 2024? Buy These 7 Auspicious Things Instead



The history of Dhanteras is mythology-heavy and is predominantly associated with Samudra Manthan.

Observed on the Trayodashi Tithi, this day is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Lord Kuber, the god of treasures. As per Hindu history, this day commemorates the emergence of Goddess Lakshmi from the ocean during the iconic churning of the ocean.

Along with her came Lord Kuber, the god of wealth, and Lord Dhanvantri, regarded as the god of Ayurveda and health. Dhanvantri is said to have emerged carrying a vessel containing Amrit (nectar) and spreading Ayurvedic knowledge across the globe.

Dhanteras Puja: Mahurat and timings

The festival of wealth and health is celebrated by performing a puja, best performed during Pradosh Kaal, the time after sunset, which lasts approximately for two hours and 24 minutes.

Also Read: What to Buy and Avoid On Dhanteras for a Prosperous Year

This period is most auspicious when combined with Sthir Lagna (a fixed, stable ascendant), which, according to Hindu beliefs, invites Goddess Lakshmi to stay in the household, ensuring long-lasting prosperity.

Vrishabha Lagna, known as the fixed ascendant, usually overlaps with Pradosh Kaal, making it an ideal time for Dhanteras Puja.

Note: It is best to avoid performing the puja during the Choghadiya muharat, as this muharat is considered beneficial mainly for travel rather than ritualistic worship. To know best timings for Dhanteras Puja as per your location, refer to your regional calendar.

Dhanteras Puja Vidhi: Step-by-step guide for home rituals

Here are some simple and easy-to-follow steps for performing the puja at home:

1. Prepare the puja area

- Clean the main entrance and your puja room to invite positivity and prosperity.
- Draw small rangoli designs at doorsteps, symphonising welcoming Goddess Lakshmi.
- Light a diya (lamp) at the entrance of your doorstep to signify protection and ward off evil and negative vibes.

2. Set up the puja altar

- Place the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber on a clea decorated altar.
- Arrange a small puja thali filled with fresh amreigold flowers, vermilion (kumkum), rice, and turmeric.
- Keep silver coins and other symbols of wealth, as these represent prosperity and abundance.

Also Read: Your Essential Diwali 2024 Celebration Guide

3. Performing the puja

- Begin the puja with a simple Lord Ganesha prayer, the remover of obstacles.
- Offer flowers, rice, and sweets to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber.
- Chant a short Lakshmi mantra or prayer dedicated to the goddess of wealth.
- Light an incense and perform a small aarti, moving the puja thali in circular motion before the deities as a sign of reverence and respect.

4. Lighting the Yamadeep

- As a part of the Dhanteras puja rituals, many families observe the practice of lighting an earthen lamp outside their homes. It is called the Yamadeepdan. This lamp is dedicated to Yamraj, the god of death. It is believed to protect family members from untimely death.

- Place the lamp outside your home in the southern direction, praying for your family's health and well-being.

5. Purchase of new things

- Dhanteras is considered auspicious to purchase new things, especially gold, silver, or other household items, as they signify prosperity.
- Other items you can consider purchasing are a broom, whole turmeric, coriander seeds, a packet of salt, saffron (kesar), and a pair of elephants, among others.

Radio City wishes you all a happy and prosperous Dhanteras.