People in Dehradun and elsewhere across the State are all set to celebrate the festival of Dhanteras on Monday with ceremonial worship of the goddess of wealth lakshmi, god of wealth Kuber and god of death Yamaraj.
Members of the business fraternity are hopeful of brisk business as people shop traditionally shop for various items considered auspicious on the occasion.
Sahastradhara Road resident Gaurav Bisht recalls that his grandmother used to narrate a story on the significance of Dhanteras. According to one legend, it is believed that the horoscope of the 16 year old son of King Hima predicted his death by snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On the ordained day, his wife placed all her ornaments along with gold and silver coins at the entrance of their room and lit lamps all around the place. She then narrated stories and sang songs to prevent her husband from falling asleep. When Yamaraj reached the prince's doorstep in the form of a snake, his eyes were dazzled by the glare from the lamps and jewellery. Being unable to enter the room, he climbed atop the heap of gold coins where he sat the whole night listening to the stories and songs. The snake went away in the morning as the ordained time of the prince's death had passed. This day came to be celebrated as Dhanteras while the following day came to be commemorated as Naraka Chaturdashi.
According to another legend, Dhanteras is the day when the celestial physician Dhanvantari emerged with a pot of the nectar of immortality in the churning of the ocean by the demons and celestial beings. So, apart from the purchase of gold and silver ornaments many people also consider it auspicious to purchased utensils on the occasion of Dhanteras.
Speaking about traditional celebration of Dhanteras, another local T Dutta said that lamps will be lit in the evening to welcome the goddess of wealth apart from the rangolis and footprints of the goddess made to welcome her in the home. To mark the festival which will coincide with State foundation day, the State's jewelers association has come out with commemorative silver coin in versions weighing five to 100 grams.