Dhanteras marks the beginning of five day festivities of Diwali. After the Samudra Manthan between the gods and demons, Dhanvantari came out of the sea holding the pot of nectar. This is the reason Dhanteras is also called Dhanvantari Jayanti. In the word Dhanteras, “Dhan” stands for “Wealth” and “Teras” for “Thirteenth”.

