According to mythology, Dhanvantari, the bringer of health, was born during the churning of the ocean by gods and demons in ancient times. Dhanvantari appeared with a pot filled with nectar in his hand. Hence, his other name is 'Piyushpani Dhanvantari'. He is also considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

It is customary to celebrate Dhanvantari Trayodashi or Dhanteras on the day of Trayodashi or Kaag Tihar of Kartik Krishna Paksha. Dhan Trayodashi and Dhanteras are also called this day. This day is basically a festival to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dhanvantari, the founder of Ayurveda.

There is a tradition of buying new utensils and gold and silver jewelry on the day of Dhanteras. However, it is not mandatory to buy on this festival. However, since Dhanvantari was born from the churning of the ocean and when he was born, he came with a kalash filled with nectar in his hand, this day is considered auspicious for buying utensils. 

On the day of Dhanteras, in the evening, a lamp is lit in the name of Yamaraj and placed at the main door of the house, and he is worshipped, requesting him not to enter the house and not to cause anyone any suffering. This religious belief is related to the health and longevity of the common people. For this reason, it is a festival of health, longevity and well-being rather than wealth. People light lamps in the evening on the day of Dhan Trayodashi to pray for the longevity, health, and happiness of their family members. 

In Aryan culture, health is considered more important than wealth. Therefore, in this festival associated with the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Yamaraj is worshiped first. The tradition of buying gold and silver utensils, coins, jewelry, etc. on the day of Dhanteras is old. Nowadays, the trend of buying luxury items like motor vehicles, mobile phones, and computers is increasing. 

The festival of 'Dhanteras', which is associated with customs and traditions, is associated with health, financial gain, and security. But in recent years, distortions have also started to be seen. Some people seem to consider it a festival to showcase their financial status and ability. It is not bad to accumulate wealth because of one's ability. But it should not be made unnecessary and extravagant. Those who can afford it can buy whatever property they want. Society itself should not do anything to provoke or spread distortions.

Because there is no mention of adding assets on Dhanteras. As per the tradition I understand, on Dhanteras, you should not buy other materials, but new utensils. The utensils are not made of steel or aluminum, but glass bowls or plates mixed with brass and copper. It is believed that iron and glass items should not be bought on this day. I have bought glass utensils mixed with brass and copper, brooms, coriander leaves and other worship items and performed Dhanteras puja. Apart from this, I have not used the occasion of Dhanteras to make new investments or assets. 

Just as Kshatriyas and Brahmins value Guru Purnima and Saraswati, Vaishyas celebrate Dhanteras with great pomp. The most important day for the Marwari community is Lakshmi Puja. Dhanteras is considered the first day to bring in Lakshmi. The day before Dhanteras, every corner of homes, offices, and commercial establishments is cleaned until Dwadashi. On the day of Dhanteras, people clean themselves by buying utensils, cutting their hair the next day, bathing, and other things. Lakshmi Puja is held on the third day of Tihar. The day after Lakshmi Puja, the Marwaris gather.

There is a separate story behind this custom. We are called Marwaris because we spread from Marwar in Rajasthan, India. Marwar was like a desert without agriculture. After suffering, our ancestors left there in search of work. They got involved in trade. That too in cloth work. In Nepal, they also started working in the cloth trade. Marwaris are a Vaishya caste. Our profession is trade. Money is associated with trade. Lakshmi also comes to be associated with wealth and money. After money is associated, Lakshmi Puja gained priority. People who do business became worshippers of Lakshmi.

It became a custom to buy goods for Lakshmi Puja on Dhanteras itself. This cycle has established the belief that Marwaris celebrate it more. Culture is a subject that is constantly changing. For example, when we lived in Lahan, there were 50/60 Marwari families. People from other communities also live there. They also started celebrating Dhanteras and Laxmi Puja. 

On the day of Dhanteras, only advertisements for discount schemes on selling goods are published in Indian daily newspapers. It is the traders who encourage this. A similar practice is gradually increasing in Nepal. Discount schemes are introduced on the day of Dhanteras. This practice is also expanding in another way. For example, my friends are Kshatriyas and Brahmins. I used to celebrate their culture and they gave priority to Dhanteras as I did. Since culture is gradually changing, everyone started celebrating Dhanteras now.

The utensils bought on the day of Dhanteras are worshipped on the day of Laxmi Puja. Those goods are used throughout the year. Diwali is also a new year for us. It is the day to change the accounts of the traders. On the day of Laxmi Puja, the old account is closed and a new one is opened. The old and new accounts were worshipped. 

Even though the year starts in Shrawan in Nepal, the Nepal government used to consider Lakshmi Puja as the same as the financial year. Income tax could be paid on the day of Lakshmi Puja. As the government accounting system became stronger, the government stopped following this system. For this reason, we implement the new account from Shrawan itself.

On the day of Lakshmi Puja, the Shrawan account is also worshipped. The accounting system has also changed. Earlier, the records of accounts were in paper accounts. Money was kept in tanks. Now money is in the bank, records are in computers. Computers are also worshipped on the day of Lakshmi Puja. However, it is impossible to leave our ancient customs. Therefore, even if we do not keep records, we buy a new paper diary and worship it. Now the account and money are worshipped only symbolically.

Some people also worship Lakshmi Puja on the day of Dhanteras. Dhanteras and Lakshmi Puja are not collective. It is a family festival. According to our culture, no matter where you are, you must come home on the day of Dhanteras. Worship is done by a priest on the evening of Lakshmi Puja. The next morning, the puja is immersed.

Taking blessings from the relatives is done the day after Laxmi Puja. When our family was in Lahan, we used to bow down to the relatives and seek blessings. In Kathmandu, we go to the house of the relatives who are closest to us in terms of family. It is customary for all other Marwaris to meet collectively. Earlier, we used to gather at the Marwari Sewa Samiti. Now, since there is no space there, we gather at Bhrikutimandap or some party palace and exchange greetings. 

Dhanteras is a festival related to the manifestation of Lord Dhanvantari through the churning of the ocean, which gives the message of health, longevity and simplicity. Therefore, I urge everyone to celebrate Dhanteras in a normal manner without making it extravagant and distorted.