Dhanvantari · Lakshmi · Kubera
Dhanteras
Diwali's first lamp: health honoured before wealth.
Tithi: Kartik Krishna Trayodashi (north) · Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi (west & south) — the same night
Which calendar do you follow?
The bright fortnight is named the same everywhere. A dark fortnight belongs to one month in the north and to the month before it in Maharashtra, Gujarat and the south: the same night, two true names. Saved only on this device.
In the simplest words
Diwali's opening day: we buy something new (even one spoon counts!), light the first lamp for Yama, and welcome health and wealth home.
The story & purpose
On this trayodashi, Dhanvantari rose from the churning ocean with the pot of amrita, so the day of 'dhan' honours the physician of the gods first: health is the first wealth. Homes buy a new vessel or metal as a token, and light the first diya of the Diwali days.
The rest of the story
The day's other guardian is Yama: a lamp kept burning at the doorway through the night, the yama-deepa, is said to turn death's messenger away, remembering the bride who kept her husband awake amid glittering ornaments until the fatal hour passed. Wealth on Dhanteras is bought as a vessel for life, not a trophy.
What is done
Dhanvantari smaran
Prayer for health before prayers for wealth.
New vessel / metal
A utensil, silver, or gold brought home as the day's shakun.
Yama deepam
A lamp for Yama at the doorstep at dusk, for protection of the household.
Best timings
Purchases in the day; Yama deepam and Dhanteras puja in Pradosh kaal.
Exact muhurat varies by city and tradition; for the precise hour, consult a local panchang for your location.
Worth knowing
From 2016 to 2024 India marked National Ayurveda Day on Dhanteras, Dhanvantari's day; since 2025 it is fixed on 23 September.
Thirteen lamps are traditional in some homes, for the trayodashi.
The Yama lamp is the year's one lamp deliberately set facing south, death's direction turned into a doorway of protection.