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 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.