Khattar Extends Dhanteras Wishes, Prays for Prosperity
Synopsis
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar marked Dhanteras by posting a Sanskrit-led prayer invoking Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari, wishing prosperity and good fortune to all Indians as the five-day Diwali season begins.
Key Takeaways
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar posted Dhanteras greetings on November 6, 2026 .
His message opened with the Sanskrit Lakshmi mantra 'ऊँ ह्रीं श्रीं लक्ष्मीभ्यो नमः' .
He prayed for Lord Dhanvantari to bless every household with wealth and grain.
Dhanteras falls on the first day of the Diwali period and is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari.
Senior BJP leaders routinely issue public festival greetings as part of cultural outreach on social media.
On the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar extended heartfelt greetings to the nation, invoking the blessings of Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi for health, wealth, and good fortune in every household.
In his post, Khattar opened with the Sanskrit invocation 'ऊँ ह्रीं श्रीं लक्ष्मीभ्यो नमः' ('Om Hreem Shreem, salutations to Goddess Lakshmi') — a traditional Lakshmi mantra recited during the Dhanteras puja. He wrote: 'May this festival of joy bring happiness, prosperity, abundance, and good fortune to every home and courtyard. I pray to God that Lord Dhanvantari blesses everyone with wealth and grain.'
Dhanteras: the festival that opens the Diwali season
Dhanteras falls on the first day of the five-day Diwali period and is dedicated to two divine figures: Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and fortune, and Lord Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods and the presiding deity of Ayurveda, who is said to have emerged from the cosmic ocean bearing a pot of nectar. The word 'Dhan' means wealth, and the festival is marked by prayers for prosperity, the lighting of lamps, and the traditional purchase of gold, silver, or utensils — a custom believed to usher good fortune into the home.
For millions of Hindu households across India, Dhanteras marks the moment the festive season truly begins — diyas lit, floors swept clean, and doorways adorned in anticipation of Lakshmi's arrival.
BJP leaders and the culture of festive outreach
Senior BJP leaders, including serving Union Ministers, have made it standard practice to issue public greetings on major Hindu festivals via social media. For Khattar — a former Chief Minister of Haryana and now a Cabinet Minister holding the Power and Housing and Urban Affairs portfolios — such posts are both a cultural gesture and a consistent part of public communication with his constituency. The Sanskrit mantra at the opening of his message signals a deliberate rootedness in classical tradition, a register common among senior BJP figures on religious occasions.
As the country lights up for Diwali, the minister's message carries the warmth of a season that — for a vast majority of Indians — is as much about hope and renewal as it is about celebration.
Point of View
Festival posts also serve a softer political purpose: keeping a human, culturally resonant face in public view between policy announcements. The choice of a classical mantra rather than a plain greeting signals a deliberate appeal to tradition, consistent with the party's broader civilisational messaging. It is routine, but in Indian politics, consistency in cultural outreach is itself a strategy.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Manohar Lal Khattar post on Dhanteras?
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar posted a Dhanteras greeting invoking the Sanskrit Lakshmi mantra and praying that Lord Dhanvantari bless every household with wealth and prosperity.
What is Dhanteras and why is it celebrated?
Dhanteras is the first day of the Diwali five-day festival, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari. It is marked by prayers for wealth and health, the lighting of lamps, and the traditional purchase of gold or silver items.
Who is Lord Dhanvantari?
Lord Dhanvantari is the Hindu deity of medicine and Ayurveda, believed to have emerged from the cosmic ocean with a pot of nectar. He is worshipped on Dhanteras for health and longevity.
What portfolios does Manohar Lal Khattar hold?
Manohar Lal Khattar is the Union Cabinet Minister for Power and for Housing and Urban Affairs. He is a senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Haryana.
Why do BJP leaders post festival greetings on social media?
Senior BJP leaders, including serving ministers, routinely post greetings on major Hindu festivals as part of cultural outreach, reinforcing their connection with India's large Hindu devotee base and maintaining public visibility.
