The thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha in Kartik, marking the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival. Dhanvantari, the physician-avatar of Vishnu, emerged from the cosmic ocean churning (Samudra Manthan) carrying the pot of Amrit on this day. Lamps are lit facing south to guide Yama, the god of death, away from the household. Purchasing gold or silver is considered auspicious because it symbolically invites Lakshmi’s presence.