Dhanteras, also celebrated as Dhantrayodashi, marks the significant beginning of the five-day Diwali festival, a time of immense spiritual and cultural importance in Hinduism. This day is dedicated to honoring Goddess Lakshmi, the revered deity of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. It is considered an extremely auspicious day for purchasing gold, silver, utensils, and other valuable items that are believed to bring happiness and financial well-being.
While Dhanteras is a day for acquiring auspicious items, it also comes with specific traditional guidelines regarding what not to do. Giving away certain objects on this day is considered inauspicious and may lead to a loss of prosperity or invite negative energy into one’s life. To ensure your home remains a beacon of positive energy and abundance, here are four types of items that should be avoided as gifts or donations on Dhanteras:
**1. Avoid Gifting Money:** The practice of giving away cash or coins on Dhanteras is believed to be detrimental to one’s own financial well-being. As the day is dedicated to invoking Goddess Lakshmi, parting with money is often seen as an act that pushes wealth away. The intention should be to attract prosperity, not to disperse it. If you wish to engage in charitable acts, it is advisable to do so on days adjacent to Dhanteras rather than on the main festival day.
**2. Black Items are Inauspicious:** Black is widely considered a color of negativity and is therefore avoided during festive observances like Dhanteras and Diwali. Gifting or donating items in black, such as clothing, accessories, or footwear, is thought to create obstacles for positive energy and may attract bad luck. Instead, choose items in auspicious colors like red, yellow, green, or gold, which are associated with happiness, prosperity, and divine blessings.
**3. Do Not Gift Oil or Ghee:** Oil and ghee are essential for the traditional lighting of diyas, symbolizing light, purity, and auspiciousness during Dhanteras and Diwali. Giving these away is believed to diminish the brightness and prosperity of your home. It is best to retain these items for your own household rituals to invoke Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings and maintain wealth.
**4. Steer Clear of Iron Items:** Items made of iron, including utensils, tools, or decorative items, are traditionally not recommended for gifting or donation on Dhanteras. Iron is linked to the planet Saturn (Shani), and it is believed that offering iron on this day might invite challenges or misfortune. Dhanteras is best observed by purchasing metals such as gold, silver, or brass, which are associated with wealth and good fortune.
To make the most of Dhanteras 2025, focus on positive actions: purchase auspicious metals, perform the Yama Deepam ritual by lighting thirteen diyas, ensure your home is clean and welcoming, offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera, and decorate with vibrant rangoli and flowers. By following these guidelines, you invite a year of prosperity, positivity, and divine blessings.