Dhanteras / Dhana Trayodashi
धनत्रयोदशी (धनतेरस / यमदीपदानम्)
Presiding deityLord Dhanvantari & Lord Kubera
Significance & Spiritual Essence
Appearance of Lord Dhanvantari (divine physician) carrying the vessel of Amrita during Samudra Manthana; worship of Lord Kubera and Yama Deepa Dana at southern doorway.
Dharmaśāstra Astronomical Determination (Nirṇaya)
Authentic Classical RuleScriptural Injunction:
“Observed on Ashvina/Kartika Krishna Trayodashi overlapping Pradosha Kala (sunset twilight).”
No classical authority is recorded for this determination in our catalogue.
Kāla Vyāpti Principle: Vedic festivals are not determined solely by Gregorian dates or standard civil calendar days — the tithi or nakshatra must prevail during its designated Kāla (time portion of the solar day).
For Dhanteras / Dhana Trayodashi, worship and vrata rituals are specifically anchored to the Pradosha window.
Vrata Discipline & Fasting Injunctions (Niyama)
ॐ नमो भगवते महासुदर्शनाय वासुदेवाय धन्वन्तरये अमृतकलशहस्ताय सर्वभयविनाशाय नमः ॥
Auspicious Dāna (Charity & Offerings)
Dāna given on sacred tithis yields multi-fold spiritual merit (Punya):
Ritual & Calculation Tools
Classical Authorities
- Skanda Purana
- Bhavishya Purana
- Nirṇaya Sindhu