What is the name of the first day of the five-day Diwali festival?

The first day of the five-day Diwali festival is Dhanteras, also called Dhanatrayodashi. Its name combines dhan, meaning “wealth,” with teras, referring to the thirteenth lunar day on which it occurs.

Dhanteras is observed during the dark fortnight’s Trayodashi, traditionally associated with Ashvin or Kartika depending on whether a regional calendar follows the amanta or purnimanta system. It begins the widely recognized five-day sequence: Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja or Balipratipada, and Bhai Dooj follow.

The day combines themes of health, prosperity and renewal. Dhanvantari, the divine physician associated with Ayurveda, is worshipped in many traditions, while Lakshmi and Ganesha are also honored. Buying gold, silver, utensils or other new goods is considered auspicious, and families clean homes, create rangoli designs and light lamps. Some regions begin related observances even earlier with Govatsa Dwadashi, but Dhanteras remains the conventional first day of Diwali.