Why We Celebrate Dhanteras and What Kids Can Learn from It?

Indian festival season is light, laughter, sweet and story time. Dhanteras is one of the most unique festivals which starts a big celebration of Diwali.

But have you ever wondered why we celebrate Dhanteras? Is it the purchase of gold and the decoration of our homes? Or is there some deeper thing in this fair festival?

We shall see the importance of Dhanteras, the interesting stories behind it and what valuable lessons can be learnt by kids about the same.

Read more : 5 Good Lessons Kids Can Learn from Diwali

What is Dhanteras?

Teras, meaning thirteen, and Dhan, meaning wealth, are the two words from which the Sanskrit term Dhanteras, also called Dhantrayodashi, is derived.  The festival is celebrated on the thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha (waning moon) in the month of Kartik, just two days before Diwali.

Diwali celebrations start on this day, and people worship the goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and Lord Kubera the deities of wealth, health, and prosperity.

In Dhanteras, the families clean their homes, decorate with lights and rangoli, buy new items (mostly gold, silver or cutlery), and perform Lakshmi Puja in the evening. It is believed that these rituals lead to good fortune and happiness and even prosperity in the next year.

The Story Behind Dhanteras

The Myths of Dhanteras are very many and interesting. There is something that we can learn in both of them.

 1. The Lady of Lord Dhanvantari

The amazing process by which the gods and demons agitated the ocean to obtain Amrit, or the nectar of immortality, is known in Hindu mythology as Samudra Manthan, or churning of the ocean.

  Lord Vishnu, a divine physician, took a pot of Amrit from the ocean on this day, according to Lord Dhanvantari.

2. The narration of goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera

The other legend is that once Goddess Lakshmi came to earth on the Dhanteras day to bless those who worship her. This has since been followed by people illuminating diyas, home decorations and prayers in order to receive her.

Treasure god, Lord Kubera, is also a god that is worshipped during this day to have prosperity both in material and spiritual aspects.

3. The Tale of King Hima’s Son

And many years before his time the son of King Hima was doomed to be bitten by a snake on the fourth night of his bridal union. But his intelligent wife did something unusual: she put hundreds of diyas in, stacked her gold and silver ornaments in a pile, and sang till the stars.

Yama, the god of death, arrived in the form of a snake but was struck by the bright lamps and the valuable decorations. He could not enter the room and just left.

It is due to this story that a custom of lighting Yama Deepam (a lamp which is set outside the house to placate Yama) on the evening of Dhanteras came into existence.

How We Celebrate Dhanteras?

Dhanteras is a festival that is observed with many celebrations and holiness. The festival is then observed in the following manner:

 1. Home going and House paint.

Individuals clean their houses both indoors and outdoors and dispose of unwanted and unnecessary items using rangolis and marigold flowers as their decorations. This happens to be a sign of getting rid of the demerits and adopting the merits.

 2. Buying Something New

Items bought on the Dhanteras day of gold including silver or utensils are thought to bring good fortune. Even these little objects as a steel bowl or a coin are fortunate.

3. Lighting Diyas

Houses are filled with strings of lights during the night and candles. There is a small lamp called Yama Deepam which is lit outside the house to avoid evil.

 4. Worship and Prayers

Families come to conduct Lakshmi Puja and Dhanvantari Puja and present sweets, flowers and thanksgiving to the blessings they have been blessed with.

 5. Sharing Joy

The neighbors and friends are given sweets. They also give a lot of food, clothes and money to the needy, many people do this and this is the true spirit of Diwali kindness.

What Children Should Know about Dhanteras?

Dhanteras is not about money but about life values. It imparts numerous teachings that children may abide by in life.

 1. Gratitude Over Greed

Dhanteras teaches us to learn to be thankful to what we possess rather than desire more.

Lighting a diya, you should remember about the things you are grateful at – your family, friends, food and home. That is the real aptitude of richness!

 2. Health Is the Real Wealth

Lord Dhanvantari explains that good health is priceless than gold.

Children may be taught to take care of themselves by eating healthy food, exercising, sleeping on time, and being happy.

 3. Cleanliness and Positivity

When you clean your room or assist your parents to decorate the house, you are not cleaning up, you are making space for positive energy.

A good environment makes the mind clean and cheery!

 4. Light Never Gives Darkness Its Due

Each diya you are lighting is a symbol of hope and good. A little diya suffices to eliminate darkness, just as one good deed can make somebody cheer up.

 5. Wisdom in Wealth

Responsible prosperity is represented with the purchase of something new. It teaches us to spend less, be resourceful, and support other people whenever possible.

6. Sharing and Caring

Kindness is taught in such festivals as Dhanteras. Children have an opportunity to share candy or toys, meet their neighbors, or assist needy people – they can pass on actual joy.

 7. Respecting Tradition

Exposure to festivals makes children relate to Indian culture and values.

You feel a part of something old and beautiful when you listen to Dhanteras narratives, create rangolis and sing aarti.

Fun Dhanteras activities for Kids

These simple and simple things make Dhanteras more interesting:

Draw a Rangoli:Draw a Rangoli using some colorful colors that are published with the footprints of goddess Lakshmi or pattern of a diya.

Gratitude Jar: Use five things that you are grateful about and place them in a jar.

Game: Coin Cleaning: Clean Old Coin with Lemon and water- It is a funny game and symbolic of purity!

Story Time: Before bedtime tell your family about the legends of Dhanteras.

Diya Decoration: Prepare diyas by painting them using glimmer and colours to light up your house.

Moral of Dhanteras

The teachings of Dhanteras include that true wealth is not only gold and silver but health, happiness, gratitude and kindness.

When we put up diyas, clean our houses and make merry with the godhead, we are giving thanks to the light we carry in us– the light of love, happiness and generosity.

These Dhanteras, therefore, we shall vow to be brilliant of good thoughts, pure hearts and bright smiles.

Final Thought

These Dhanteras, do not only enjoy lights but also enjoy love, learning, and laughter.

Let all the немаayeons tell you that all of the most brilliant light comes from within you.

Read Also : Why Do We Celebrate Holi and Diwali? A Simple Story for Kids

FAQs about Dhanteras