नेपालीहरूको दोस्रो ठूलो चाड तथा उज्यालोको पर्व तिहार (यमपञ्चक) आजबाट विधिवत् रूपमा सुरु भएको छ । हरेक वर्ष कात्तिक कृष्ण त्रयोदशीदेखि कात्तिक शुक्ल द्वितीयासम्म मनाइने यमपञ्चकको पहिलो दिन आज 'धनतेरस' अर्थात् धनवन्तरी त्रयोदशी मनाइँदैछ । यस दिन विशेषगरी आयुर्वेदका ज्ञाता धन्वन्तरि र धनका देवता कुबेरको पूजाआराधना गर्ने परम्परा छ ।
धनतेरसको अवसर पारेर आज बजारमा सुनचाँदीका गरगहना तथा नयाँ भाँडाकुँडा किन्नेहरूको चहलपहल हुन्छ । समुद्र मन्थनका क्रममा अमृत भरिएको कलशसहित धन्वन्तरि प्रकट भएको पौराणिक मान्यताका आधारमा यस दिन नयाँ भाँडाकुँडा र धातुका सामग्री खरिद गर्नुलाई निकै शुभ मान्ने गरिन्छ ।
यसै दिनदेखि यमपञ्चक पनि प्रारम्भ हुने भएकाले आजै साँझ घरको मूल ढोकाबाहिर यमराजको नाममा बत्ती (दियो) बाल्ने प्रचलन छ । बहिनी यमुनाको निम्तो स्वीकार गरी पृथ्वीमा आउने यमराज झुक्किएर आफ्नो घरमा प्रवेश नगरून् र परिवारमा कुनै रोगव्याधि नलागोस् भनी उनको प्रसन्नताका लागि घरबाहिर यमदीप दान गर्ने गरिएको शास्त्रीय जनविश्वास रहेको छ ।
Tihar, the second-largest festival for Nepalis, widely known as the festival of lights or Yamapanchak, has officially begun today. Dhanteras, also referred to as Dhanvantari Trayodashi, is being celebrated on this first day of the five-day festival, which spans from Krishna Trayodashi to Shukla Dwitiya in the month of Kartik. Traditionally, this day is dedicated to worshipping Dhanvantari, the pioneer of Ayurveda, and Kubera, the god of wealth.
Markets generally witness a bustling crowd on Dhanteras as people rush to purchase new utensils and gold or silver jewelry. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Dhanvantari emerged from the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) carrying a pitcher full of nectar. Rooted in this belief, buying metal items and utensils on this day is considered highly auspicious.
As Yamapanchak also commences today, there is a traditional practice of lighting a lamp (diya) outside the main doorway in the evening in the name of Yamaraj, the god of death. According to classical folklore, Yamaraj halts his duties and descends to earth to accept an invitation from his sister, Yamuna. Devotees light the 'Yamadip' outside their homes to please him, ensuring he does not mistakenly enter their household, thereby protecting the family from illness and misfortune.
