LEGEND BEHIND DHANTERAS
Dhanteras, sometimes called as Dhantrayodashi falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin.
Dhanteras is based on a very interesting story. The son of king Hema was doomed to die as soon as he completed his sixteenth year. The king and queen wanted their son to enjoy all goodness of life and therefore they got him married, The fourth day of his marriage was to be that dreadful day. His wife didn't let him sleep and placed around him a lot of gold and silver coins. The entry gate was also jammed with the same. Moreover big lamps were lit all around the place. She kept telling her husband stories and sung songs so as to keep him awake. As Yama, the God of death came, in the guise of a serpent, he couldn't enter the room of the prince as his eyes were be dazzled by the flash of gold and silver. Yama had to turn back to his world. This way the girl saved her husband's life.
Because of the story, the day is also called 'Yamadeepdaan'. Lamps are kept burning throughout the night in the honor of Yama The ritualsof Dhanteras incorporates elements of this story.
On the other hand, people invite Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi to their houses (symbolically) with different kinds of rituals. All the houses are beautified with lights and colors. Specially the entrance is decorated with torans on the doors and Rangoli on the floor.
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