In Nepal, Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, marks the beginning of the Tihar festival and holds great religious and cultural importance. Celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of Kartik (October–November), it is a day dedicated to wealth, health, and prosperity. People clean and decorate their homes, light oil lamps, and buy new utensils or gold, as it is believed to bring good fortune. Devotees worship Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine, and Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, praying for good health and prosperity.

Dhanteras also sets the tone for the joyous celebration of Tihar that follows. In many Nepali homes, people light rows of diyas to invite positive energy and drive away negativity. Business owners and households perform special Lakshmi Puja rituals, while families prepare traditional sweets and share them among friends and neighbors. The festival beautifully reflects Nepal’s blend of devotion, cultural tradition, and the spirit of renewal and abundance.