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Dhanteras as the word denotes is welcoming wealth 'Dhan'on the thirteenth day ('teras') of the month of Aashin (Ashwin). Events in the Hindu calendar that held special significance in the ancient days are celebrated with great gusto even today. Diwali which is the festival of lights was celebrated to welcome Lord Rama who returned to Ayodhyay after 14 years of exile in the forest. The return of the Divine after an extended period of unhappiness signifies lighting the lamps of truth

and purity and driving away the darkness that lives within as well as surrounds us. To celebrate the re-establishment of God on earth and demise of the rule of asuras or Ravana, Diwali is celebrated. Since coming of the divine reign signifies the freedom of the wealth from the clutches of the anti-divine, Dhanteras which precedes Diwali by 2 days is celebrated.

STORY AND SIGNIFICANCE________________________________

According to the myths, death which came to prowl in the household of King Hema in the form of a serpent was prevented from killing his son by the power of Goddess Lakshmi. The amassed wealth and the dazzling lights of divine energy made death retrace its steps. People light lamps throughout the night of Dhanteras to keep away death from their doorway even today.

Another story that is associated with the Dhanteras event is the 'Samudramanthan'. In order to restore order in his kingdom, accursed Lord Indra had to defeat the asuras who had invaded heaven and usurped wealth and happiness. Goddess Lakshmi who had fled from the kingdom had to be brought back. Lord Vishnu was approached

and his decision was to churn the ocean to acquire the amrit or ambrosia that would immortalise the Devas. Since the churning was an upheaval task Asuras were included in the design and later duped as immortalising them or the asuric qualities could be perilous for the country as well as an individual if both the macrocosmic and the microcosmic worlds are to be considered. Lakshmi, the goddess of power, bravery, enthusiasm and radiance was restored after days of drilling of the ocean and periods of spilling out venom and finally attaining the sweet nectar that immortalizes one.