Dhanteras 2024 and Yama Deepam 2024: Date, Pooja Timings, and Shubh Muhurat across different USA Time Zones (ET, CT, MT, PT)

Diwali 2024 festivities are all set to begin with Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi, which is celebrated two days before Diwali. The festival where devotees queue up to buy gold, silver, utensils and broom, is dedicated to Lord Kuber and goddess Lakshmi, considered as the god and goddess of wealth. It is said that on this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during Samudra Manthan with a pot of God along with Lord Kuber. Dhanteras also honours Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of health and Ayurveda, who carried a pot of amrit and Ayurvedic texts with him during Samudra Manthan.
Dhanteras is celebrated every year on the 13th day of the Krishna Paksha in Kartik and generally falls in October or November. This year, it is being celebrated on Tuesday, October 29 in India.

On Dhanteras, people traditionally buy new utensils, gold, or silver items, as this is believed to bring good fortune and abundance into the home. During this entire period of Diwali celebrations, people clean, and decorate their homes to invite positive energy and blessings for the year ahead. Dhanteras symbolizes health, wealth, and the blessings of prosperity in life.

On Dhanteras, a special ritual called Deepdan for Yamraj involves lighting a Deepak (lamp) outside the home on Trayodashi Tithi. This is performed to ward off untimely death for family members. The Deepak is lit during the Sandhya time, which is considered an auspicious moment. It is believed that by offering this light, one can please Lord Yama, the God of Death, who in turn protects the family from accidental death and ensures their well-being.