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Photo: K. Murali Kumar

JewelleryThe best investment

Diwali is perhaps one of the most awaited and enjoyed festivals for not only Hindus, but for almost all Indians alike specifically for the lights, sweets and fireworks. For many Hindus, especially in Northern and Western India, the festivities begin with Dhanteras, (‘Trayodashi’ day).

Dhanteras is in honour of Goddess Laxmi and the divine physician, Dhanvantari. As per mythology, Sage Durvasa cursed Indra and as a consequence, Goddess Laxmi left him. Bereft of Her grace, Indra lost his strength, power and radiance, and was usurped by the demons. On the advice of Lord Vishnu, it was decided to churn the ocean to acquire nectar for immortality. The churning also yielded amongst other treasures, Goddess Laxmi and Lord Dhanvantari – the divine physician…thus the churning resulted in immortality for the Devas and Laxmi’s emergence, symbolising power and wealth for the Gods once more.

While Goddess Laxmi is worshipped on Amavasya day, preparations for Her arrival begin on Dhanteras. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, a new article, big or small, in gold, platinum, silver, or at least a new shiny steel utensil is compulsorily bought on this day. White, the colour associated with purity and Laxmi is specially favoured. It is supposed that any new ‘dhan’ or wealth acquired on this day, brings along Laxmi and is a sign of good fortune for the coming year. In villages, cows and cattle are decked and worshipped as for the farmer; the cow is his ‘dhan’.

Another story narrates the love and devotion of a young bride, who saved her husband from death. The sixteen-year-old king Hima was doomed to die of snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage. His young resourceful wife piled gold and silver all around, lit lots of lamps, particularly near the entrances and regaled the young king with stories and songs all the night through. When the Lord of death, Yama came in the guise of a snake, the dazzling brilliance of the combined effect of the piles gold, silver and innumerable lamps blinded the snake. Distracted, he remained listening to the young bride’s stories and songs and later, quietly slipped away, leaving the king unharmed. Thence, that night, the trayodashi night before Diwali, is also called ‘Yamadeepdaan’, and a lamp is lit for lord Yama. Whatever may be the reasons behind this festival, it is actually a traditional reason to acquire gold or silver, or rather, savings in some form. Generally, investing in a little gold every year is way easier than being forced to buying a substantial amount at one time. Plus, some of the Dushera and Diwali bonus will be fruitfully stashed away as a saving in the form of gold, platinum or silver, increasingly valuable precious metals!

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