Mumbai: As the Diwali festival begins with Dhanteras, people across India observe the custom of purchasing gold, silver, and utensils to attract good fortune. Yet, one lesser-known but equally cherished tradition is buying coriander seeds on Dhanteras, an affordable and meaningful way to partake in the day’s auspiciousness. This ritual, steeped in Hindu beliefs, is thought to invite blessings from Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, prosperity, and happiness.
For individuals unable to afford high-value purchases on Dhanteras, buying coriander seeds provides a meaningful alternative to celebrate the day’s spiritual importance. Offering coriander seeds at the feet of Goddess Lakshmi during puja symbolises devotion and gratitude, which, according to tradition, brings peace and financial stability to the home. Devotees consider this gesture a way of expressing reverence, creating a spiritual connection with the goddess.
Offering Coriander Seeds at Goddess Lakshmi’s Feet
Buying coriander seeds on Dhanteras holds a unique religious significance. According to tradition, coriander seeds are offered to Goddess Lakshmi during the Dhanteras and Diwali puja ceremonies, symbolising an invitation for her blessings. Many Hindus believe that by offering coriander seeds to the goddess, one can invoke happiness, prosperity, and success.
After the offering, it is customary to prepare a special prasad by grinding the coriander seeds and combining them with jaggery. This treat, shared among family and friends, is believed to spread goodwill, happiness, and positive energy throughout the household.
Belief |
Significance |
Offer coriander to Goddess Lakshmi | Symbolises prosperity and invites her blessings into the home, promoting success and happiness. |
Prepare prasad with coriander and jaggery | Distributing this prasad is believed to spread positive energy and blessings to all. |
What to Do with Coriander Seeds After the Puja
After the puja, many families follow the custom of preparing naivedya, a sacred food offering made with coriander seeds and jaggery. This naivedya is considered an auspicious treat that brings divine blessings to the family. Additionally, placing the remaining coriander seeds in the family’s storage or safe represents the welcoming of wealth and abundance into the home, inviting prosperity for the year ahead.
In conclusion, buying coriander seeds on Dhanteras is more than a simple tradition—it’s an expression of devotion, prosperity, and hope for a prosperous future. Whether or not you make significant purchases, this ritual offers a heartfelt way to connect with the blessings of Diwali.
(Disclaimer: provides content for informational purposes and does not endorse the accuracy or effectiveness of astrological beliefs or traditional practices.)