Dhanteras, the auspicious festival that marks the beginning of Diwali, is a day dedicated to welcoming prosperity, health, and positive energy into the home. This year, Dhanteras falls on October 30, 2024, with celebrations commencing on October 29 as the Trayodashi tithi begins at 10:31 AM and concluding on October 31 at 1:15 PM. Both days are graced by the auspicious Tripushkar Yoga, enhancing the occasion’s potential for blessings.
Dhanteras holds particular importance for devotees, as it is dedicated to worshipping Lord Kuber, the deity of wealth, and Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and medicine. Tradition calls for special rituals and careful planning in purchasing items that can attract good fortune while avoiding those believed to carry negative energies. Here's a look at what not to buy this Dhanteras to ensure positive energy and prosperity.
Items to Avoid on Dhanteras for Positive Energy and Financial Stability
Although Dhanteras is a prime time to invest in valuable metals and other auspicious items, certain purchases are believed to attract negativity, disrupt the harmony of the household, or hinder financial stability. Here are the items best avoided on Dhanteras:
1. Glassware and Fragile Items
Glass and other fragile items are believed to bring instability into the home. In many traditions, glass is associated with fragility, which symbolizes an unstable foundation and can even lead to emotional or financial unrest.
Instead of glassware, consider purchasing sturdy and lasting items that symbolize stability and strength.
2. Iron, Steel, and Aluminum Utensils
Buying iron, steel, or aluminum items is often seen as inauspicious on Dhanteras. These metals are believed to attract negativity and could potentially disrupt the positive flow of energy in the home.
If you need new utensils, opt for brass, copper, silver, or gold. These metals are considered highly auspicious and invite wealth and good fortune.
3. Black-Colored Items
Black is traditionally associated with negative energy in many cultures and is considered unfavorable on Dhanteras. Avoid purchasing black-colored clothing, accessories, bags, or blankets to maintain a positive atmosphere in the home.
Instead, choose bright and vibrant colors that are associated with positivity, growth, and happiness.
4. Sharp Objects
Sharp items such as knives, scissors, and needles are best avoided on Dhanteras. According to Vastu Shastra, sharp objects can disturb the energy balance in a space and may even bring obstacles or arguments within the household.
Purchasing sharp objects on this day is also considered inauspicious as it can create a “Vastu dosh,” or an imbalance in the energy of your home.
5. Oil and Ghee
While oil and ghee are essential for Diwali, it’s considered inauspicious to buy them on Dhanteras itself. The purchase of these items on this day is thought to bring bad luck or financial difficulties.
To avoid any negative energy, make sure you buy oil and ghee beforehand to light lamps on Diwali without compromising on auspiciousness.
6. Plastic Items
Plastic is considered inauspicious in some traditions, as it is non-biodegradable and symbolizes non-renewable, stagnant energy.
Refrain from buying plastic products on Dhanteras and consider choosing eco-friendly or metal alternatives that align with the spirit of the festival.
What to Buy on Dhanteras for Prosperity
Instead of the items listed above, focus on making purchases that align with the traditional spirit of Dhanteras. Here are some auspicious items to buy:
1. Gold and Silver
Gold and silver are symbols of wealth and prosperity, making them highly sought-after purchases on Dhanteras. Investing in precious metals signifies stability, financial growth, and good fortune for the family.
Buying gold or silver on Dhanteras is seen as a blessing from Lord Kuber, who is believed to bring wealth to those who honor him with these precious metals
2. Brass and Copper Utensils
Utensils made of brass or copper are considered highly auspicious and are often bought on Dhanteras. These metals are associated with good health and positive energy and are said to bring the blessings of Lord Dhanvantari.
Purchasing brass or copper utensils is a symbolic gesture that honors the presence of prosperity and health within the home
3. Coriander and Grains
On Dhanteras, buying grains or seeds such as coriander is thought to invite abundance and food security. These small purchases symbolize growth, fertility, and wealth.
You can store coriander seeds or other grains in your kitchen as a way of symbolizing a plentiful and nourished household
4. Broom
A new broom symbolizes the sweeping away of negative energy and inviting positive energy into the home. It is also believed that purchasing a broom on Dhanteras helps clear out financial obstacles.
The broom is symbolic of the goddess Lakshmi, and bringing it into your home on Dhanteras is believed to attract her blessings for financial stability.
5. New Clothes or Accessories
Buying new clothes, especially in vibrant and auspicious colors, is a wonderful way to enhance positivity. On Dhanteras, wearing new and bright-colored clothing is believed to lift the spirit and attract positive energy.
Avoid dark colors such as black and choose shades like red, yellow, or green, which are associated with growth, luck, and happiness
Spiritual Significance of Dhanteras
Dhanteras holds a special place in the hearts of devotees, as it is closely linked to health and wealth. According to mythology, Lord Dhanvantari—the divine healer who emerged from the churning of the ocean with the nectar of immortality—brought forth health and well-being for the gods and humankind. The tradition of purchasing metals is an homage to him, as it signifies the wish for a long, prosperous, and healthy life.
Similarly, Lord Kuber, the god of wealth, is worshipped on Dhanteras to seek his blessings for financial prosperity. This is why the emphasis is on acquiring items that symbolize abundance and avoid items that could invite negative energy.
Embracing the Spirit of Dhanteras
Dhanteras is not just about material wealth; it’s a reminder of the importance of spiritual wealth, health, and a positive, harmonious home. The festival encourages us to make conscious choices that promote long-term prosperity, peace, and well-being. By steering clear of certain items and focusing on auspicious purchases, you can invite positivity, prosperity, and stability into your life.
Dhanteras is an opportunity to reflect on the values of health, wealth, and prosperity and to invite these blessings into our lives by honoring traditional beliefs. Avoiding certain purchases is a part of aligning with the festival’s spiritual significance and the energies that it brings. By being mindful of these choices, you can embrace the full spirit of Dhanteras and Diwali, welcoming light, positivity, and abundance into your home and life.