How to perform Dhanteras Puja in 2023.

November 09, 2023 Thursday

Dhanteras is a Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations. It is traditionally a day for worshiping the wealth and prosperity deities, especially Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. Performing Dhanteras Puja in 2023, or any other year, involves several rituals and customs. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform the Dhanteras Puja: Materials you will need: A clean and quiet place for the puja. A small table or platform covered with a clean cloth. An idol or image of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera (you can also use a silver coin with their images). A Diya (oil lamp) with Ghee or oil. Incense sticks and holder. Flowers, particularly marigold and lotus. Sweets, fruits, and other offerings. A small bowl of uncooked rice. A Roli and Akshat (rice mixed with turmeric) for tilak. Camphor for aarti. Silver or gold coins (optional). Dhanteras Puja Procedure: Cleanliness: Before starting the puja, take a bath and ensure that the place of worship is clean and pure. Set Up: Place the platform with the clean cloth in a chosen location. Put the idol or image of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera on the platform. Light the Diya: Light the Diya using ghee or oil and place it in front of the idols. Offer Flowers: Offer flowers to the deities and around the platform. Incense: Light the incense sticks and place them in the holder. The fragrance is believed to purify the environment. Offerings: Place sweets, fruits, and other offerings in front of the deities. This symbolizes the abundance of wealth and prosperity. Rice: Take a small bowl of uncooked rice and sprinkle it on the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera while reciting mantras. Tilak: Apply Roli and Akshat (rice mixed with turmeric) on the idols. Aarti: Perform the aarti by lighting camphor and moving it in a circular motion in front of the idols. Sing or recite aarti songs. Prayers and Mantras: Offer your prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. You can recite Dhanteras-specific mantras or general Lakshmi mantras. Optional: Silver or Gold Coins: If you have silver or gold coins, you can touch them and keep them in your puja area as a symbol of wealth. Distribute Prasad: After the puja, distribute the prasad (offerings) to family members and guests. It's important to perform the puja with devotion and sincerity, focusing on your intentions for wealth and prosperity in the coming year. After the Dhanteras Puja, people usually engage in shopping for gold, silver, or new utensils, as it is considered auspicious to make such purchases on this day. Please note that specific traditions and rituals may vary from region to region and from one family to another. It's a good idea to consult with a priest or an elder in your family for any additional customs or practices that are specific to your tradition.