Dhanteras: the Holiday’s Origins and Celebration Rituals

Dhanteras 2026 is scheduled for November 6. It is important for Hindus who believe that their purchases and celebrations on this date will increase joy, wealth, and prosperity. The holiday falls on the thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha and is associated with numerous legends and stories. People decorate their homes, buy new clothes and jewelry, ask for blessings and health from the gods, and exchange gifts with relatives. Traditionally, Dhanteras is celebrated with family. However, if you are far away from home, you can always arrange international delivery to congratulate everyone you love. Meest offers logistic services to and from Canada, so you can always be a part of the celebration.

What Is Dhanteras: A Brief Overview

Dhanteras or Dhanatrayodashi is a holiday that marks the beginning of the Diwali festival. However, it doesn’t only start the five-day celebration. The significance of Dhanteras is much greater. Hindus devote this day to prayers, spiritual development, and hopes for the best. They are sure that all purchases on this day will multiply and Goddess Lakshmi will be favorable to them in the future.

Dhanteras comes from two words. The first one is Dhan, which means wealth, and the second one is Teras, which means thirteen. Although it is most often associated with the beginning of Diwali and the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, Dhanteras meaning is much deeper.

There are at least two legends associated with the celebration of the day. The first one claims that on this day, gods and demons churned the Samudra Manthan in search of the nectar of immortality or amrit. At that moment, the goddess of prosperity Lakshmi, the god of wealth Lord Kubera, and the god of health Lord Dhanvantari rose from the stormy sea. The latter was holding a pot of amrit.

According to another legend, on this day, a wife saved her husband, the young son of King Hima. According to the prophecies, he was supposed to die on the fourth day of his marriage from a snake bite. However, his wife was more cunning. She laid out wealth on the threshold of their house and lit the entrance with dozens of lamps. She told stories all night long and kept the prince awake. When the god of death Yama came to take the prince in the form of a snake, he could not resist the jewelry and stories of the princess and left with nothing.

By retelling these legends to the next generations, Hindus further increase the importance of Dhanteras. They prepare presents and give them to their family members as a sign of care and best wishes. You can join them wherever you are and send a package overseas through the Meest portal.

Dhanteras: How to Celebrate and What to Buy

Gold and silver are among the most popular gifts on this day. They are considered to be symbols of purification and enrichment, so if you are looking for a gift for a girlfriend, a piece of jewelry might be a better idea. For boyfriend, you can prepare a precious coin or a gift set.

Here are some more of the best Dhanteras gift ideas to keep in mind:

• Lamps and candles.
• Idols.
• Sweets.
• Cutlery.
• Interior items.
• Furniture, etc.

There is no single opinion on what to buy at Dhanteras. Although price is not a determining factor, it is better to give preference to jewelry, bright and beautiful things.

Dhanteras celebration starts with cleaning the house. Then it should be decorated to protect it from evil forces and bad luck. Hindus believe that beautifully decorated houses with candles at the entrance can help invite Goddess Lakshmi.

You can give gifts when Dhanteras starts. However, if you are in another country or even on another continent, you should make sure to have them delivered in advance. Meest offers a quick and easy transportation process from Canada to India from any city, including Ottawa, Vancouver, or Toronto.

How to Send Gift on Dhanteras in India: Instructions to Follow

After choosing a thoughtful Dhanteras present for your loved ones, you can arrange delivery to India in just a few steps with Meest. Parcels can be created online through the Meest Portal or directly in the Meest Canada app without visiting an office.

To send your shipment:

1. Pack the gifts securely, especially fragile or decorative items;
2. Create the shipment and enter the delivery information;
3. Select pickup from your address or choose a nearby Meest drop-off location;
4. Confirm the shipment, print the label, and attach it to the parcel;
5. Follow the delivery status online until the package reaches India.

Delivery pricing depends on the shipment type and destination region. Rates to India start from $11.80 per kg, while deliveries outside the GTA start from $13.30 per kg and from Quebec — $12.80 per kg. A flat $15 delivery fee applies per box. Customers can also send parcels up to 6 kg for a flat rate of $110 with all charges included.

For additional convenience, the Meest Canada mobile app allows customers to manage shipments directly from their smartphone and receive 5% off their first app shipment.

Meest offers worldwide cargo delivery to different countries and vice versa, including from India to Canada. To find out what the price will be, you can use a convenient online calculator. You can send the parcel yourself or call a courier. If you are in Canada, shipping is available from various locations, including Hamilton, Calgary, and Montreal.

Dhanteras significance in Hinduism is hard to overestimate, so take care of gifts and attention to your family in advance. Choose the best present, carefully pack the item, and send it with Meest. The company will deliver your parcel quickly, safely, and at an affordable cost.

To share