Why Are Coriander Seeds Considered Auspicious on Dhanteras?

Dhanteras holds a special place in Hindu tradition and is celebrated every year on the Trayodashi Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartika. In 2026, the festival falls on Friday, November 6. On this occasion, devotees worship Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. Buying gold, silver, utensils and other household items is considered auspicious. However, purchasing coriander seeds on Dhanteras is also believed to bring good fortune. According to traditional beliefs, coriander seeds symbolise wealth, prosperity and abundance. Offering whole coriander seeds during Lakshmi Puja is believed to invite the goddess's blessings and ensure prosperity in the household.

Coriander seeds are also associated with growth and progress because they sprout into green plants when sown. In some regions, coriander seeds are mixed with jaggery and prepared as an offering, which symbolises happiness, love and sweetness in life. After the Dhanteras Puja, some devotees tie a few whole coriander seeds in a red cloth or place them in a clean container and keep them where money is stored. Others sow the seeds in a pot or in the soil after Diwali, believing that their growth represents the family's progress. The remaining coriander seeds can also be used in cooking.