Dhanteras is considered as the most auspicious day for the Hindus. People worship goddess Laxmi for wealth, prosperity and well being.

 

The festival is celebrated in honour of Dhanvantri the physician of the gods and the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Dhanteras story goes as King Hima's sixteen year old son was doomed to die by a snake bite on the fourth day of his marriage. But his wife did not allow him to sleep and instead laid all the ornaments and gold at the entrance of her husband's boudior. A lot many lamps were lighted all over the place and she went on telling stores and sang songs. When Yama, the god of death arrived in the form of a serpent, his eyes got blinded by the dazzle of the lamps and light and so could not enter the prince's chamber. It sat on the heap of ornaments and sat there the whole night listening to the songs sung by the prince's wife and in the morning went away. This way the young wife saved her husband from he clutches of death.
 
Every Dhanteras, people worship goddess Laxmi for prosperity and well being. Hence Dhanteras holds a lot more significance for the business community. On this auspicious day, houses and premises are decorated with lights and lamps and lovely traditional rangolis are made to welcome godess Laxmi of wealth and prosperity. Women purchase gold and silver coins, ornaments and even utensils on this day and pooja is performed in the evenings with small divas being lighted to drive away the shadows of eveil spirits. Also devotional songs are sung to please goddess Laxmi.

 
People start sending Dhanteras messages from early mornings to their family and friends, wishing them happy, wealthy and prosperous days ahead.