There is a very intersting historic story about the 16-year-old son of King Hima behind this occasion of Dhanteras .

According to his horoscope he would die by snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage.

But his newly wed wife's cleverness and detremination saved him.

On that particular day, his wife did not let him sleep and kept him awake by singing songs and telling him stories.

She also gathered all her ornament, gold and silver coins and laid it in a heap at the threshold of there room and lit numerous earthen lamps all over .

When Yama(the god of Death) arrived at the prince’s doorstep in the form of a Snake he got blinded by the vibrance of lamps and jewelery.

He was not able to enter the Prince's room, so he climbed on top of the heap of gold coins and sat there the whole night listening to the stories and songs.

As the morning approached he went away without taking Prince's life.

Thus, the young prince life was saved by the intelligence of his new bride, and the day came to be celebrated as Dhanteras.

And this is one of the reason people buy Gold on the auspicious day of Dhanteras.

Dhanteras falls on the 13th day of the Krishna Paksh and the 14th day is also called 'Yamadeepdaan' as the ladies of the house lights deep( earthen lamps) and

these are kept burning throughout the night honoring Yama.

The epic of "Samudramanthan" , that means churning of the ocean is also believed to be associated with Dhanteras.

It is believed that when the Gods and demons were churning the ocean for "amrit" or nectar, Dhanvantri appeared with a glowing Kalash of amrit.