Diwali the festival of lights is just round the corner which is one of the highlights of indian culture.This was the very day when lord Rama the prince of Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana of Lanka and returned back to Ayodhya.Well that called for a celebration in the kingdom and the prince had a royal reception awaiting, lamps were lit all over the kingdom and hence the festival of lights diwali.
But its not confined to just that there is lot more to celebrate one among them is Dhanatrayodashi (dhanteras).On this day people worship goddess laxmi for wealth and prosperity but its significance doesn't end here
THE DAY
"Trayodashi" is the thirteenth day in the hindu calender usually two days before diwali.This year its on 28 october 2016.It bears immense significance as far as the commerce industry in india is concerned as the goddes of wealth laxmi is worshipped on this day. People buy gold on this very day symbolic to laxmi entering in their house. Apart from buying gold and worshipping goddes laxmi on this auspicious day lets shed light to some other important aspects
LORD DHANVANTARI
During the samudra manthan along with goddess laxmi many things evolved one among them is Lord Dhanvantari, He said to be the incarnation of lord vishnu,The deity is worshipped for good health and he is the presiding deity of Indian medicine Ayurveda, the science of life. Dhanvantari emerged with the pot of amrita(nectar) as a result of samudra manthan.Like other vishnu avatars with four hands Dhanvantari possesses Shankha, Chakra, Jalauka(leech) and a pot containing rejuvenating elixir called Amrita. Shankha and Chakra is symbolic of vishnu whereas the Leech is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine in treating various conditions,The pot of elixir signifies the power to bless with good health and longevity
lord Dhanvantari is worshipped on this day by faculty of medicine as he is the god physician
recently it has been announced that this day will be celebrated as AYURVEDA DAY in the country
LORD YAMA AND YAMADEEPADANA
Another aspect of this very day is "Yamadeepadana"
A lamp is lit during sunset on this day facing the south (otherwise not done) in order to please the god of death yama
south direction being governed by Yama the lamps is lit facing south(dakshina)
it is done to restrict ones akalamrityu (sudden untimely death) or apamrityu
