Dhanteras, being a festival of wealth, also means inaugurations and purchases of new & expensive possessions. Many Indians set up their businesses, launch new projects, hold housewarming, and set wedding dates on this day. Dhanteras is regarded as an auspicious occasion to buy some gold or silver articles. Many people shop for new utensils for their household. 

Diwali is celebrated for five days and consists of smaller festival like Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali, Dewali, Govardhan Pooja and Bhai Dooj following on each consecutive day.

The First day of festival is called "Dhanteras" or "Dhantrayodashi", and takes place two days before Diwali, in honour of Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu. As such this day of the five-day Diwali festival has a great importance for the rich mercantile community of India.
 

 The legend of Samudramanthan tells the importance of these celebrations. According to this story, when the gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrut or nectar, Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu emerged carrying a jar of the elixir. 

Another interesting story about this day is of the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs. When Yam, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death.
Celebrations

On this day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colourful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights.

"Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the evening when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess.