Why do people buy kitchen utensils on Dhanteras?

India is a land of joy and celebrations, and one of the most auspicious events in the Hindu calendar is Diwali. The festival of lights celebrates the return of Lord Rama and Sita to their kingdom after fourteen years of exile, after battling demons and defeating the demon king Ravana. The festival is traditionally highlighted by lights, rangoli, diyas, and bursting of crackers, along with a whole lot of meeting people, exchanging gifts, and feasting on traditional food.

Diwali is a period of five days, and the first day of celebration is called Dhanteras, where people worship goddess Lakshmi. According to Hindu mythology, goddess Lakshmi visits homes on the first day of Diwali to bless people with health, wealth, and prosperity, and to welcome her, people engage in pujas and light diyas. Apart from the puja, one of the highlights of Dhanteras is women buying jewellery and utensils made of gold, silver, and brass. Today, we will take a look at the significance of these ornaments with regard to the festival.

Buying ornaments on Dhanteras revolves around the story of the son of King Hima. His horoscope predicted that he would die on the fourth day of his marriage from a snake bite. His wife sang to him so he wouldn’t fall asleep, and to counter the prediction, she kept her jewellery and ornaments near the door along with lit lamps. When Yama, the god of death came in the form of a serpent to bite King Hima’s son, he could not enter as he was blinded by the gleam of all the gold, silver, and brass.

The story led people to believe that jewellery and ornaments can help ward off evil and bring good luck, hence the purchase of jewellery. But why purchase kitchen utensils? Well, it is not the jewellery which brings good luck per se, rather, it is the gold, silver, and brass. It is the material which is associated with protection against ill will, and since jewellery is most synonymous with these materials, it is the most purchased good luck charm. However, kitchen utensils made of gold, silver, or brass are considered to have the same positive effect on health and wealth as jewellery does, hence they are bought for Dhanteras.