Festival of India: Dhan Teras and Diwali

Update: Dhan Teras will fall on October 24 and Diwali on October 26 this year, 2011. People in India have started preparing to celebrate Diwali along with Dhanteras. They will celebrate both the festivals with enthusiasm. (October 22, 2011)

Dhan Teras and Diwali are most auspicious and popular festival in India. Festival of Diwali lasts for five days starting from Dhan Teras. Dhan Teras falls on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi two days prior to Diwali. People from almost all casts and creed celebrate Diwali in India. Diwali is also known as Deepavali (Dipavali). It is festival of light.

Diwali is a Hindu festival as well as a Sikh and Jain festival.

Dhan Teras is actually Dhanwantari Trayodashi. Dhanwantari was the father of Ayurveda, who was found in Samudra manthan according to Hindu mythological stories.The day is considered as his birth day. This day has been celebrated as day of health.

Meaning of the day Dhan Teras had been changed during past centuries. The word Dhan was used as abbreviation of Dhanwantari and people started believing this day as day of Dhan meaning wealth.

People buy Gold, Silver, Diamond, color stones, Jewelry, Houses, shops and other real estate on this day. Dhan Teras is considered as auspicious as Akshay tritiya (Akha Teej) for buying immovable assets and gold, silver, diamond, Jewelry etc.

This day is considered as Abujh Muhurt that means very special and auspicious day according to astrology of India. One can do any auspicious work on this day without asking for a Muhurt from a Pundit or astrologer.

Akshay Tritiya is main shopping festival in south India and Dhanteras is main shopping festival in northern parts of India.

Large numbers of Indian businessmen start their business on the auspicious days of Dhanteras and Diwali.It is believed that starting business in these days are lucky and brings wealth.

The festival of Diwali starts from Dhan Teras. The second day is celebrated as Roop Choudas, that means day of beauty. Third or the central day is Deepavali. It is believed that Lord Ram came back to Ayodhya from his exile on that day. Lord Mahavira attained salvation on Diwali according to Jainism. Jain communities worship Lord Mahavira while celebrating Dipavali festival.

The fourth day is observed as Govardhan by the Hindu community. This is the starting of Indian lunar month Kartik. Jain communities offer Nirvan Laddu to Lord Mahavira in this morning.

The fifth and final day of this festival is Bhai Dooj or Bhratri Dwitiya. Sisters put "Tilak" in the forehead of their brothers. Tilak is the symbol of good luck. Hindu mythology says that the Tilak done on Bhai Dooj saves from untimely death. Bhai Duj is also called Yama Dwitiya on the name of Yama (god of death).

Please view and enjoy Diwali of Jaipur. I have posted photos of Diwali in Jaipur. You can enjoy Diwali in Jaipur. It will include photos, videos and text about Diwali celebrated with crackers, dazzling lights, decorated shops and houses, streets and roads and people of Jaipur in traditional Indian dresses.

Diwali In Jaipur