Dhanteras 2018 Date in India: When will Dhantrayodashi be celebrated?

Dhanteras 2018 Date in India: This year, Dhanteras falls on November 5. (Source: Thinkstock/Getty Images)

Dhanteras 2018 Date in India: Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi marks the beginning of Diwali. ‘Dhan’ means wealth and ‘teras’ means the thirteenth day of the moon cycle. This festival falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Karthik Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Karthik.

Hindu devotees pay their respects to Lord Kubera, also known as the God of wealth and Goddess Lakshmi, on the auspicious day of Trayodashi. According to mythology, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi came out of the ocean during the churning of the milky sea with a pot of gold and wealth on this day. This year, Dhanteras falls on November 5.

According to Drikpanchang, it is also observed as Dhanwantari Triodasi or Dhanvantri Jayanti that marks the birth anniversary of the God of Ayurveda. Another ritual, Yamadeep, is observed on Trayodashi by lighting lamps, candles and diyas outside homes for Yamraj, the God of death so as to ward off the untimely death of family members. Lord Ganesha is also worshipped as he is known to remove all obstacles.

During Dhanteras, people buy new clothes, utensils, home products and gold jewellery. This sets the festive tone for the next four-days, thus connecting it with the more elaborate Diwali celebrations.