India is the only places in the world were all kind of people and religion exist. In India, people are busy in this festive season, Diwali is just around the corner and Indians across the globe are gearing up for the big celebration. Children love to blow the crackers and different kinds of sweets to eat. Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five days long festival of Diwali, which honor the homecoming of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Dhanteras is a favorable occasion and on this day followers worship Goddess Lakshmi, the harbinger of wealth and prosperity in the family. Also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanvantri Jayanti, it literally translates to 'Dhan' which means wealth and 'teras' means 'the thirteenth day'. The holy festival falls on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartik, that is two days prior to Diwali. This year, Dhanteras will be celebrated on 17th October 2017.
On Dhanteras, people whitewash and decorate their houses and make goddess Lakshmi's little feet with rice flour at the entrance of the house and near the temple. Rangolis adorn the corners of the houses and Deepak or lamp (Diya) is for lighting around. Some people prefer observing a fast on this day while some do a puja in the evening after sunset. In the evening while doing the puja, devotees place seven grains in front of goddess Lakshmi's idol or picture and seek her blessings for success and wealth.
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