It is the magical moment of the year again when a thousand diyas light up houses and markets are abuzz with enthusiasm, but one holy day sets the ball rolling on Diwali -- Dhanteras. This is not a day to simply purchase some gold or silver. It’s a spiritual message that wealth isn’t just about money - it’s the joy of health, harmony and gratitude.
Dhanteras 2025 will be celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, which falls in the Kartik month, i.e., on October 18, 2025.
Among celebrations on Dhanteras, people worship the Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari for prosperity and good health. However, although the day is of great value and importance, many follow a puja without understanding why it is so important or how to perform it correctly.
That’s the problem.
Let's rediscover the significance and knock back the true spirit of Dhanteras.
Importance and Significance of Dhanteras Puja
As per tradition, things stolen have been brought to the homes by people to open the door of prosperity, which includes a pot filled with grains and drinks.
According to the Hindu mythology, Dhanteras is celebrated as a holy day on which Lord Dhanvantari came out of the ocean during Samudra manthan holding a pitcher (Kalash) full of Amrit in his hands. That is why Dhanteras is also called Dhantrayodashi, in which Dhan means wealth and Teras refers to the thirteenth day.
The Dhanteras traditions are said to welcome Goddess Lakshmi – the deity of wealth and prosperity – into homes. According to the Skanda Purana, Diyas lit on Dhanteras remove adharma and attract positive vibrations for the year ahead.
This day has come to be a spiritual and economic celebration throughout the years. More than 65% of gold and silver sales are made during Dhanteras, according to a 2023 survey by All India Jewellers Federation. This is not just tradition -- it’s faith on the move.
According to astrology, doing the puja during Dhanteras in an auspicious muhurat adds value to its advantages. On Dhanteras 2025, the shubh Lakshmi Puja Muhurat is predicted between 6:56 PM to 8:31 PM, as per the Drik Panchang.
But there can be regional differences, so refer to your local panchang for accuracy or take guidance from vidwan pandit. The most preferable time to perform the rituals is Pradosh Kaal (which is a duration of two hours after sunset).
Best Time and Muhurat for Dhanteras Puja
Dhanteras puja muhurat - 7:16 PM to 8:20 PM.
Pradosh kaal - 5:48 PM to 8:20 PM.
Vrishabha kaal - 7:16 PM to 9:11 PM.
Trayodashi tithi begins - 12:18 PM on October 18, 2025.
Trayodashi tithi ends - 1:51 PM on October 19, 2025.
Preparations for the Dhanteras Puja
There is a lot of preparation that we must look into before conducting the Dhanteras puja vidhi and it doesn’t come only in terms of physical preparation; one has to be prepared mentally as well.
Here’s how to prepare:
- Clean the home thoroughly. Wherever there is purity and discipline, Goddess Lakshmi is said to reside.
- Adorn the entrance with rangoli and place diyas by the threshold.
- Put auspicious footprints of Goddess Lakshmi idols at the doorstep - an imaginary invitation for her to enter your house.
- Turn the altar to the northeastern or eastern position.
- Wear clean traditional attire and set your heart at ease.
- Preparation is what turns a ritual into a miracle; the routine of lighting one diya becomes an avatar of thanks.
Step-by-Step Guide to Perform Dhanteras Puja
Let’s now go through a practical, simple, and soul-filling Dhanteras guide – step-by-step.
Set up the altar: Set Goddess Lakshmi idols, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Dhanvantari on a clean red cloth.
Light a diya: 13 diyas are traditionally lit -- each signifying the waning moon, marking the days. Keep at least one diya lit overnight in order to give protection from negativity.
Offer water and flowers: Commence the puja with achaman (sipping holy water) and offer flowers as a token of dedication.
Invoke the gods: Try chanting the Dhanteras mantra or even saying “Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyai Namah.”
Do aarti: Rotate the diya around in front of the idols and sing the Lakshmi aarti.
Naivedya: On this day, sweets, fruits, and cow ghee are offered. Conventional prasad comprises boondi laddoo, kheel-batasha, and panchamrit.
End with prayer: Consider as blessings for your home, business and family’s health.
Done with devotion, each one feels like a personal chat with prosperity.
Items Required for Dhanteras Puja
Keep these items for puja ready before you start:
- Goddess Lakshmi idols
- Lord Ganesha idol
- Lord Dhanvantari idol or image
- Panchamrit-:- Even a mixture of Milk, Curd, Ghee, Sugar and Honey.
- Incense sticks, diyas, and camphor
- Betel leaves and nuts
- Coins or currency notes
- Rice grains and turmeric
- Fresh flowers and garlands
- Sweets for offering
- A brass or silver ‘kalash’ with water
And these aren’t just ritualistic props -- they are icons of plenty, reason, and rebirth.
Prayers and Mantras to Recite
There is spiritual value in meaningfully chanting mantras during the Hindu festival rituals aka Dhanteraspuja.
Here are some essential mantras:
For Goddess Lakshmi:
“Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyai Namah”
(ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः )
For Lord Ganesha:
“Om Gan Ganapataye Namah”
(ॐ गं गणपतये नमः )
For Lord Dhanvantari:
“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye Amritakalash Hastaya Sarva Bhaya Vinashaya Sarva Roga Nivaranaya Namah”
(ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय धन्वन्तराय अमृतकलश हस्ताय सर्व भय विनाशाय सर्व रोग निवारणाय नमः )
Reciting these mantras relaxes your mind and directs you towards positive vibrations, leading to a retreat of both peace and prosperity in your home.
Special Ritual to Attract Money and Prosperity
Here is where the Dhanteras rituals reach their dignity.
Illuminate the 13 Diyas: One diya for Yamraj God (representation of the god of death). Praying this would protect you from accidents, danger and untimely death.
To bring financial stability, keep new coins or jewelry near the idol of Goddess Lakshmi.
You too write your name and goals on a yellow paper and keep it beside the idol (it is a symbol for creating wealth).
Donate to the poor: Giving charity on this day not only increases blessings in leaps and bounds.
In fact, research published in the Indian Journal of Cultural Studies (2021) illustrates that those 78% Indian households who follow structured hindu festival rituals show better psychological well-being and higher financial discipline – proving that rituals can actually condition your mind towards gratitude.
Dhanteras Puja for Business and Home
Dhanteras Puja vidhi can be performed for business and home and has great significance for the business community. It’s the day many begin a new move or crack open their book of accounts. The ritual is called Chopda Pujan, which symbolises starting the new financial year with the blessings of God.
At home, conduct the puja near the front door or in a sacred room. Keep Goddess Lakshmi idols on the desk or cash counter, a lit diya and mishri or sweets to offer. Some even observe Dhanteras fasting, which means keeping away from grains up to puja time, as it supposedly helps cleanse the mind and get you to focus.
Tips for Observing Dhanteras Puja Correctly
Do not do puja in Rahu Kala. Meanwhile, other metal items such as silver coins or copper utensils and brass diyas are also considered auspicious to buy. Also, clean your wallet and keep a few fresh notes near the idol. Do not borrow or lend any money on Dhanteras.
Opt for Dhanteras offerings that are pure – it’s the intention with which it’s offered that brings prosperity, not its pomp and show. Even small deeds, such as lighting a diya or praying, come to count when done with a dedicated mind.
The Heart of Dhanteras
The Dhanteras legend is about recognizing that wealth isn’t always in gold or things we can see. The wealth that is real is in health, belief and peace of mind. When you are doing Dhanteras puja vidhi, when you light those diyas and see the Goddess Lakshmi idols, stop for a moment. Sense the heat, the light, the peace.
That is no mere flame -- that’s your life energy reigniting.
That’s your “ahh…” moment -- when you feel that you’re not just worshipping for wealth but more importantly, wisdom.
So Happy Dhanteras!” And this is the truth because Dhanteras isn’t about buying more; it’s about becoming more.
Conclusion
While Dhanteras 2025 is on the horizon, keep in mind – rituals shouldn’t be fetters but fortes. Chances to reset, to realign, and to remember that prosperity starts with thankfulness.
Be it the Dhanteras lakshmi puja in your house or at the office, do it with full concentration and open-hearted devotion. May each diya that you light be a harbinger of hope - may it mean that the darkness never wins when the light is near.
And so this Dhanteras, wish the Goddess Lakshmi idol in your home endless peace, labour that turns to fruition and if nothing else, a better heart -- not because you have more, but because you know when enough is all.
