Bhubaneswar: What was once a largely North‑Indian festival has found a fresh, vibrant audience in Odisha, especially among the state’s youth.
The auspicious day that kicks off the Diwali calendar is now lit up with stalls, rangoli contests, and social‑media buzz from Bhubaneswar to the farthest towns, turning Dhanteras into a pan‑Odisha celebration.
For generations, Odias celebrate Akshaya Tritiya as the prime ‘buy‑new‑thing’ day, with buying gold, silver and household items. In recent years, Dhanteras has vaulted from a largely North‑Indian celebration into an Odisha‑wide cultural event, drawing people of every age and background into the buzz of shopping, puja and lights. What was once a regional footnote is now a full‑blown festival of prosperity, health and modern‑day consumer excitement, reshaping the state’s festive calendar.
What To Buy And Not To Buy On Dhanteras
The word ‘Dhanteras’ combines ‘Dhan’ (wealth) and ‘Teras’ (thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha). This day is considered ideal for purchasing valuable items, particularly gold jewellery, which symbolizes success and prosperity. Besides, people purchase items made of brass, silver, and metal as it is believed that buying things on the day of Dhanteras will bring good fortune, success, and protection from the evil eye. Needless to say, Odia women these days leave no stone unturned to celebrate Dhanteras with pomp and gaiety. With Odisha celebrating Dhanteras today, let’s find out items to buy on Dhanteras that are symbolic of good fortune and prosperity and items which we should not buy as they release negative energy.
Also, people bring separate idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi and pay reverence to these idols on Diwali, popular for their spiritual and financial significance.
That apart, Kuber yantra is brought home and placed inside the puja ghar where prayers are offered to ensure prosperity, according to astrologers.
It is auspicious to buy metal utensils on this day. The purchase of brass cutlery on this occasion is also symbolic of good fortune, according to astrologers.
However, there certain things which people should not buy on this day as they are considered inauspicious.
Iron Utensils/Items: Iron is deemed inauspicious and associated with negative energies.
Glass Products: Linked to Rahu, glass items are best avoided.
Sharp Objects: Knives, scissors, pins, etc., can bring bad luck.
Black Items: Avoid anything black, as it’s connected to bad luck.
Shoes: Associated with Saturn (Shani), shoes represent hardship.
Plastic Items: Symbolizing cheapness and impermanence.
