Dhanteras

Dhanteras (also known as Dhantrayodashi) falls on the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha in Kartika month, inaugurating the five-day Diwali celebrations. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari—the divine physician and fourteenth jewel of the Samudra Manthan—manifested holding the sacred pot of nectar (Amrita Kalash) and the foundational wisdom of Ayurveda.

Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera for righteous wealth, and Lord Dhanvantari for good health and disease-free longevity. In the evening, the sacred Yama Deepam (a four-faced flour lamp) is lit outside the home facing south to ward off premature death and misfortunes. Buying new utensils, brass, copper, silver coins, or gold is considered extremely auspicious.