Diwali begins; gold, silver, and utensils bought for prosperity and health

Dhanteras, or Dhanatrayodashi, opens the five-day Diwali festival on the Trayodashi of the dark fortnight of Kartika (Purnimanta). 'Dhan' means wealth and 'teras' the thirteenth day. It is also Dhanvantari Jayanti: during the churning of the ocean, Lord Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods and an avatar of Vishnu, emerged on this day holding the pot of amrita and the knowledge of Ayurveda, which is why the Government of India observes it as National Ayurveda Day. Kubera, the treasurer of wealth, and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped in the evening for prosperity. It is the most auspicious day of the year to buy gold, silver, new utensils and, today, vehicles and appliances, as metal bought now is believed to multiply. Another legend tells of King Hima's son, fated to die of snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage; his bride lit lamps and heaped her jewels at the door and kept him awake with stories, and Yama, arriving as a serpent, was dazzled and left. In remembrance, a lamp facing south — Yama Deepam — is lit at the entrance at dusk to ward off untimely death.

No fast is prescribed; some keep a light fast until the evening puja.