What is Dhanteras and why do Indians buy gold to celebrate?

The first day of Diwali is considered auspicious to buy gold and is associated with good luck and positivity

Gold sales soar in India ahead of the festival of lights. Pawan Singh / The National

Every year, jewellery purchases across Asia soar in the run-up to Diwali, a holiday period when buying gold is considered auspicious.

In India, where the festival of lights is widely celebrated, employees often receive bonuses and special gifts, while sales of gold coins and bars surge ahead of Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali.

A predominantly Hindu festival, although Jains and Sikhs also celebrate, buying jewellery for Diwali is meant to appease Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

India is the world's second-largest gold consumer and demand usually strengthens towards the end of the year, which coincides with the traditional wedding season and major festivals including Diwali and Dusherra, according to the World Gold Council.

Symbolising the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, Diwali usually falls in the early autumn, coinciding with the new moon, deemed the darkest night of the Hindu lunar calendar. This is why dates change every year.

This year, celebrations will begin on Friday with Dhanteras, with the "main Diwali" falling on the third day, on Sunday, an official holiday in many countries.

What is Dhanteras?

Customers shopping at a jewellery store in Ahmedabad, India. Reuters

A combination of the words "dhan", which means wealth in Sanskrit, and "teras", which means 13, the day falls on the 13th day of the Hindu lunar calendar, marking the first day of the five-day Diwali festival. Hindus consider it an auspicious day to make new purchases, especially jewellery, as well as new utensils, appliances and even vehicles.

Homes are cleansed for the occasion and Dhanvantari, the god of health and Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, is worshipped.

Lamps lit in homes are meant to welcome Lakshmi, and jewellery purchases are dedicated to the goddess, to usher in more wealth. Dhanteras is also associated with good luck and positivity.

Not only the bling

While sales of jewellery spike during Diwali, the week-long celebration is also traditionally considered the biggest shopping period of the year in India. And this year, much of the buying is happening online.

Online sales from Amazon, Flipkart and others reached 47 billion rupees ($565 million) last month, consulting firm RedSeer said in a report. Mobile phones, electronic goods and large appliances drove around 67 per cent of the sales, it added.

Digital transactions recorded by Unified Payments Interface also surged about 40 per cent last month from a year earlier.

On top of the festive period, consumption will likely also get a boost from the Cricket World Cup, being hosted in cities across India.

How to wish somebody on Dhanteras

A woman tries a necklace on the occasion of Dhanteras ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali at a jewellery store in Amritsar. AFP

While Diwali is a celebration of all things bright and new, it is also marked by prayers of hopes for a bright future.

Apart from the succinct "Happy Dhanteras" wishes and messages usually focus on new beginnings and blessings, with emphasis on wealth and prosperity, often summoning Lakshmi.

Variations include: "May goddess Lakshmi shower you [and your family] with blessings," as well as: "I hope this festival brings you more good fortune and prosperity."

If sending wishes to business associates or clients, wishing them "success" in their endeavour will bode well.

Or you can just say "Shubh Dhanteras", which literally translates to "Auspicious Dhanteras".

Dancers during a Diwali on the Square celebration in Trafalgar Square, London. PA Wire

In countries such as India, where Diwali is a major festival, many have waited until this time to splash out on big purchases, from jewellery to televisions, new cars, and even homes. PA Wire

Dancers in Trafalgar Square London at a Diwali event. PA Wire

Symbolising the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, Diwali usually falls in the early autumn. PA Wire

Indian artist Ratan Pal works on a clay idol of the deity Kali ahead of Diwali festival in Kolkata. EPA

A devotee carries decorative crowns of the deity Kali ahead of Diwali in Kolkata. EPA

A woman buys earthen lamps in preparation. EPA

An Indian woman paints an earthen lamp in Dharavi, Mumbai. EPA

Potters paint traditional earthen oil lamps in Jalandhar. AFP

Workers pour wax as they prepare traditional earthen lamps on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. AFP

On Diwali, those celebrating wear new clothes or their best outfits and light lamps and fireworks. AFP

Workers assemble firecrackers at a workshop in the outskirts of Ahmedabad ahead of Diwali. AFP

Workers assemble firecrackers at a workshop in the outskirts of Ahmedabad. AFP

Statues of oxen displayed outside a market at Little India district in Singapore. AFP

Decorative ornaments on sale in Singapore's Little India district. AFP

Cookies on sale in Little India district, Singapore. AFP

LED light strings for Diwali decoration at Bhagirath Palace market in Delhi. Getty Images