Puja for Dhanteras
Puja for Dhanteras: Welcoming Prosperity and Wealth
Dhanteras, a significant festival in the Hindu calendar, falls in the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov) on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight. This auspicious occasion sets the stage for the grand Diwali festival, celebrated two days later. Dhanteras is a day dedicated to invoking prosperity and well-being, with Goddess Lakshmi taking centre stage. The word 'Dhan' translates to wealth, while 'Tera' denotes the date 13th. Let's explore the customs and significance of this special day.
How to Celebrate Dhanteras
Dhanteras is a day dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the harbinger of wealth and prosperity. It is also an occasion to celebrate wealth itself, as 'Dhan' literally means riches, and 'Tera' references the date 13th. The evening of Dhanteras is marked by lighting lamps to welcome Dhan-Lakshmi into homes. Intricate rangoli designs, often featuring the goddess' footprints, adorn pathways to signify her arrival. Devotees sing devotional hymns or aartis to praise Goddess Lakshmi, offering her sweets and fruits as tokens of reverence.
Significance of Dhanteras
Dhanteras carries a deep significance, rooted in mythology. It is believed that Lord Kuber's abode is also home to Adilaxmi, the goddess of wealth. Kuber, pleased by her devotion, bestowed immense wealth upon her. In an interesting twist, Kuber lent some of his wealth to Lord Vishnu for his celestial marriage. In honour of this divine transaction, devotees make generous donations to the temple of Venkateshwara in Tirupati, seeking blessings to repay their debts. This tradition is believed to continue until the end of the age of Kalyug.
Lord Kuber is not only revered in Hinduism but also by Buddhists, where he is known as Jambhala due to the lemon (jambhara) he holds. Worshipping Kuber is seen as a means to overcome financial worries and unlock the inflow of wealth.
The Procedure of Kuber Puja on Dhanteras
The worship of Lord Kuber on Dhanteras typically involves the use of a yantra, a mystical diagram with powerful properties. This yantra is believed to bring prosperity and happiness into one's life. Apart from Diwali, people also worship Lord Kuber on Tuesdays and Fridays. The ritual involves cleaning a wooden plate, creating the Kuber kolam (design) using rice flour, and placing it in front of an image or symbol representing Lord Kuber. On the kolam, coins are placed facing the numbers within the design.
Devotees then adorn the coins and the representation of Lord Kuber with red flowers. A lamp and incense sticks (agarbatti) are lit, and a specific mantra is chanted eleven times. Kuber Puja is believed to dispel financial worries and facilitate a consistent inflow of cash. It is said that the Kuber Yantra possesses incredible power and can alleviate poverty and financial scarcity through its worship.
Importance of Kuber Puja
Lord Kuber is revered as the god of wealth and prosperity, making his worship particularly significant during Diwali, especially among business communities and traders. Those who worship Lord Kuber are believed to receive his blessings, which include increased strength, success in business, improved education, knowledge, industrial growth, career advancement, and the inflow of money. Kuber Puja is seen as a means to eliminate financial problems and usher in financial stability and abundance.
In conclusion, Dhanteras and the associated Kuber Puja are cherished traditions that reinforce the values of wealth, prosperity, and the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber. These rituals play an integral role in the Diwali celebrations, fostering a sense of gratitude and abundance.
FAQs
1. Why is Dhanteras celebrated two days before Diwali?
Dhanteras is celebrated two days before Diwali to mark the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartik. It serves as a precursor to the Diwali festival and is dedicated to the worship of wealth and prosperity.
2. What is the significance of lighting lamps on Dhanteras?
Lighting lamps on Dhanteras symbolize the welcoming of Goddess Lakshmi into homes. It is considered an auspicious gesture that invites wealth and well-being.
3. How does Kuber Puja help in overcoming financial worries?
Kuber Puja, performed using a yantra and specific rituals, is believed to dispel financial worries and ensure a consistent inflow of cash, thus providing relief from poverty and scarcity.
4. Who worships Lord Kuber, and what blessings are associated with his worship?
Lord Kuber is worshipped by business communities, traders, and individuals seeking wealth and prosperity. His blessings include strength, business success, education, knowledge, career growth, and financial stability.
5. Is Kuber Puja performed only on Dhanteras, or are there other auspicious days for it?
While Kuber Puja is commonly performed on Dhanteras, devotees also worship Lord Kuber on Tuesdays and Fridays, seeking his blessings for financial well-being.
