Dhanteras 2024: Who is Dhanvantari and why is she worshiped on Dhanteras?

Dhanteras 2024: Diwali is a five-day festival, which starts from the day of Dhanteras. Dhanteras is also called Dhantrayodashi. On the day of Dhanteras, Maa Lakshmi and Kuber Dev are worshipped. Besides, worship of Dhanvantari also has importance on this day.

According to Panchang, the festival of Dhanteras is celebrated on the Trayodashi date of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. On this day, people definitely buy some or the other item as per their capacity. This year the festival of Dhanteras will be celebrated on 29th October and Diwali (Diwali 2024) will be on 31st October.

Who is Dhanvantari?

According to religious texts, Dhanvantari originated during the churning of the ocean. According to the legend, it was Dhanvantari who came out carrying the nectar pot for which the ocean was churned. He is known as the pioneer of Ayurveda and the physician of the gods in the medical field. Therefore Dhanvantari is considered the god who provides health. It is believed that by worshiping them, one gets relief from diseases and attains incompetence. Now the question arises that when Dhanvantari is the deity who bestows blessings then why is he worshiped on the day of Dhanteras.

Why is Dhanvantari worshiped only on the day of Dhanteras?

According to the legend, the ocean was churned between gods and demons for the nectar pot. From the churning of the ocean, 14 gems came out one by one, out of which the last one was the nectar pot with which Dhanvantari appeared. The day when Dhanvantari appeared with the nectar pot was the Trayodashi day of Kartik Shukla Paksha. Therefore they are worshiped on the day of Dhanteras. Due to its occurrence on this date, the day of Dhanteras is also celebrated as Dhanvantari Trayodashi or Dhanvantari Jayanti.

Also read: Diwali 2024: In which month will Diwali be celebrated, October or November?