Dhanteras (धनतेरस) on Fri, 1 Nov 2013: Diwali starts from Dhantrayodashi

Dhan Teras (धनतेरस) falls two days before Diwali. The word "Dhan" means wealth and "Teras" means 13th day of lunar fortnight. God Yama is worshipped on this day to provide prosperity and well being.

As such this day has a great importance for the community of North & Western India . Houses and Business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colourful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli rangolee designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights.
Celebrations include shopping of new clothes, jewelry, new utensils, sweets and beautiful lanterns, especially for Dhantrayodashi . On the occasion, corporate and any enterprise find it the perfect time to gift their employees. Gift hampers are marked with corporate name and logo; also used for promotional handouts.

Dhanteras - Yamay Deep Daan & Laxmi Pujan Muhurat

USA, CANADA, UK, S.AFRICA - Thu, 31 October 2013

(details on next page)

India & Rest of the world - Fri, 1 November 2013

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प्रदोषकाल बेला में दीपदान एवं लक्ष्मीपूजन करें ।

Pradosh Kal Bela is your local time of 2 hours 24 minutes after sunset.

Deep Dan and Laxmi Puja is considered auspicious during this time.

    Pradosh Kaal :  17:31 to 19:55                

Sthir Lagna ( Taurus):  17:41 to 19:36    IST Delhi

We are lucky this year: Most Auspicious Time for Lakshmi Pujan and Deep Dan on Dhanteras is 17:41 to 19:36

DhanTeras Shopping can be done within Trayodashi Tithi

i.e only until 21.33 Hrs of 1 Nov 2013

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As per a legend, when the gods and demons stirred the ocean for Amrit (the potion which makes one immortal), Dhanavantri - physician of the gods - who is also supposed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu emerged from beneath the waters carrying the jug containing the potion.

According to another legend, King Hima’s sixteen-year-old son was preordained to die on the third day following his marriage because of snakebite, according to soothsayers. On the critical day, his wife illuminated the house by lighting up numerous lamps. She took out all the ornaments and gold and silver coins piled them up at the entrance of her husband's room. She related tales to the people gathered at their house and also sang songs through the night.

Yama (god of death) arrived at the fated time in the guise of a serpent. However, the bright lighting in the house dimmed his vision. He couldn’t sight the prince’s chamber. So he made himself comfortable by seating himself on the pile of ornaments and coins. As he sat there, he could not help, but get enchanted by the songs rendered by prince's wife. At daybreak on the following day, he left the place with his mission unfulfilled. Thus, the wife was successful in saving her husband’s life. It became a sacred day, and Dhanteras also came to be referred as "Yamadeepdaan" . So on Dhanteras lamps are aflame throughout the night for the worship of Lord Yama.

Offer Yama Deep Daan on same day

Dhanteras Puja Muhurta for International Cities

Cities & Places Where Dhanteras is on Thu, 31 October 2013

Local Pradosh Kal Time within Tryodashi Tithi (HH:MM)

International Cities (Dhanteras on 31 October 2013)	Pradosh Kal Duration प्रदोषकाल बेला	Vrishabha Lagna (स्थिर लग्न)	Auspicious Time for Deep Daanam & Laxmi Pujan (Dhanteras Muhurta)
Los Angeles (California, USA)	17:56 to 20:36	18:45 to 20:38	18:45 to 20:36
New York City, USA	17:48 to 20:33	18:33 to 20:22	18:33 to 20:22
Washington, DC, USA	18:03 to 20:47	18:50 to 20:39	18:50 to 20:39
Toronto, Canada	18:04 to 20:51	18:47 to 20:33	18:47 to 20:33
Mexico City, Mexico	17:59 to 20:31	18:54 to 20:54	18:54 to 20:31
Bogota, Colombia	17:35 to 20:01	18:35 to 20:41	18:35 to 20:01
Lima, Peru	18:04 to 20:23	19:10 to 21:21	19:10 to 20:23
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	19:01 to 21:15	20:11 to 22:27	20:11 to 21:15
Buenos Aires, Argentina	19:17 to 21:25	20:33 to 22:55	20:33 to 21:25
London, UK	16:29 to 19:23	17:05 to 18:42	17:05 to 18:42
Cape Town, South Africa	19:09 to 21:17	20:24 to 22:46	20:24 to 21:17

Cities & Places Where Dhanteras is on Fri, 1 November 2013 

International Cities (Dhanteras on Fri, 1 November)	Pradosh Kal Duration प्रदोषकाल बेला	Vrishabha Lagna (स्थिर लग्न)	Auspicious Time for Deep Daanam & Laxmi Pujan (Dhanteras Muhurta)
Moscow, Russia	17:44 to 20:44	18:12 to 19:42	18:12 to 19:42
Port Louis, Mauritius	18:16 to 20:31	19:21 to 21:36	19:21 to 20:31
Dubai, UAE	17:33 to 20:08	18:22 to 20:19	18:22 to 20:08
Kathmandu, Nepal	17:16 to 19:53	18:05 to 20:01	18:05 to 19:53
Singapore	18:45 to 21:10	19:43 to 21:50	19:43 to 21:10
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	18:52 to 21:17	19:49 to 21:55	19:49 to 21:17
Bali, Indonesia	17:56 to 20:20	18:55 to 21:02	18:55 to 20:20
Shanghai, China	17:00 to 19:39	17:47 to 19:41	17:47 to 19:39
Tokyo, Japan	16:42 to 19:23	17:27 to 19:18	17:27 to 19:18
Sydney, Australia	19:19 to 21:27	20:30 to 22:52	20:30 to 21:27
Wellington, New Zealand	19:56 to 21:59	21:12 to 23:38	21:12 to 21:59
Suva, Fiji	18:08 to 20:24	19:12 to 21:26	19:12 to 20:24

Please don’t hesitate to ask Dhanteras Muhurta for your city through comment box. We will try to make you smile.

Puja & Deep Daan should be performed at Pradosh Kal (Evening Time) of the day.