Don’t just go for gold this Dhanteras. Strike a different sheen on October 27

Don’t just go for gold this Dhanteras. Strike a different sheen on Oct 27

Don’t just go for gold this Dhanteras. Strike a different sheen on Oct 27

Yes, it’s the day on which folks go on a frenetic jewellery shopping spree with a legit excuse to be a shopaholic and buy gold, silver and other precious stuff. Dhanteras – dhan meaning wealth and teras meaning the 13th day – precedes Diwali and is dedicated to summoning longevity, wealth and prosperity. Like Diwali, it’s all wrapped in legends that survive to this day. According to one story, the young son of King Hima was fated to die of snake bite on the fourth day after his wedding. His wife would have none of it. She sealed the entrances to the royal chamber with all her gold ornaments and, to dispel the darkness and snakes, she surrounded the place with lamps. All night long, she told her husband stories to keep him awake. The snake that came to kill him rested on the roof of the chamber, listening to the stories, and slithered away at dawn. It was the god of death, Yama, himself, and the princess had fended him off. The day is now Dhanteras, when women light lamps, worship Lord Yama and seek protection for their loved ones. Lord Dhanvantri, who expounded the principles of Ayurveda, and is a Vishnu avatar, is believed to have emerged on this day and it’s customary to pray to him for good health. Kuber, the lord of wealth, and Lakshmi, are also central figures in the pujas.

New Age Dhanteras

* Go for gold, or don’t: You’ve been buying those traditional pieces of jewellery, even gold and silver bars all these years. Strike a different sheen this year. Buy that platinum piece you’ve always coveted. Or how about diamonds? They are a girl’s best friend, after all.

* Taste it, try it on: Dine on exotics, such as kebabs adorned with gold leaf or desserts flecked with gold dust. Buy cosmetics with pearls or gold. Splash out and luxuriate.

Say it with stones

Think pendants with birthstones, bracelets with charms, and monogrammed pieces.

Hand it to the Handas

Textile designer Sarita Handa with home décor experts Suparna Handa (daughter) and Captain Rahul Puri (son-in-law). On Suparna: Benarasi salwar suit, Kantha dupatta and heirloom emerald earrings and ring gifted by her mum, diamond and emerald bracelet and sandals bought abroad. On Sarita: Handloom sari and heirloom diamond earrings. On Rahul: Custom-made bandhgala and shoes.

Only in our family

orphanage, The House of Shahji. Since then, we have made it a point to visit the kids in the orphanage and give them gifts every Diwali,” says Suparna. “One year it was books, another year we gave them stationery and sweets. This year we are planning to give them clothes and toiletries.”

And this year...

Suparna says that this year the biggest celebration will be her mother’s 70th birthday on December 18. “Friends from near and far – a big bunch from the US, in fact – are expected to join us in Delhi and we are all looking forward to it!” she adds, excitedly.

Who’s gifting who what?

Rahul for Sarita: “An antique carpet.”

Suparna for Rahul: “An old MacBook because he loves vintage collectibles.”

Sarita for Suparna: “Sports equipment for her multi-station home gym.”

-- Vidya Prabhu

From HT Brunch, October 8, 2016

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