Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is an auspicious occasion observed a couple of days before Diwali - the festival of lights. 'Dhan' means wealth and 'Teras' means thirteen, as the 'festival of wealth' is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Kartik (October - November). This year it falls on November 11, 2012.
According to one mythological tale, the word Dhanteras comes from the name Dhanavantri, the divine doctor. On this day, Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth and beauty, is ceremonially worshiped, and people flock to the jewelers and buy gold or silver jewelry or utensils to venerate the occasion of Dhanteras. Lord Yama, the god of death, is worshiped on the following day of Narak Chaturdashi.
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On Dhanteras, Yam, god of death is not worshiped. He is worshiped on the other day of Dhantares. That is on ‘Narak Chaudas’.