The practice of purchasing a new broom on Dhanteras is not a routine household task; it is an ancient ritual-based practice. (Image Source: Pinterest)
Dhanteras, also Dhantrayodashi, is the thrilling beginning to the five-day festival of Diwali. In 2025, this day will be observed on Saturday, October 18. Though the festival is renowned for purchasing gold, silver, and new utensils to invite wealth, a far simpler but profoundly symbolic object also takes pride of place: the broom (Jhadu). The practice of purchasing a new broom on Dhanteras is not a routine household task; it is an ancient ritual-based practice.
The broom is thought to be symbolic of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The fundamental rationale for buying a new broom on this day is the association with cleanliness and eliminating negativity.
Sweeping Away Negativity and Poverty:
The broom sweeps physically dirt and dust away. Spiritually, it signifies the sweeping of poverty, bad luck, and financial concerns out of the home. By purchasing a new one, you are symbolically readying your home for the coming of wealth and good fortune.
Inviting Goddess Lakshmi:
It is of utmost importance to be clean while preparing for Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi is said to inhabit only clean, pure, and well-maintained places. Purchasing a new broom is a ceremonial act of making your house clean and inviting her blessings of prosperity and wealth.
A Fresh Start:
Replacing the old broom with a new one marks a fresh beginning. It encourages a commitment to cleanliness and order for the year ahead, showing respect for the household environment.
When choosing a broom for Dhanteras, the focus is more on the symbolic act than the material itself. However, according to traditional and Vastu principles, the following guidance is common:
Traditional Brooms are Preferred:
Traditional brooms made of natural materials such as grass (straw broom) or coconut sticks are what most people prefer. They find these closer to nature and the original tradition.
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Modern Brooms are also Fine:
In contemporary times, it is the intention that matters most. Purchasing a high-quality, long-lasting, and functional broom either traditional or a new synthetic one is quite fine, provided that the purchase is done with dignity and belief in the significance of the tradition.
Once the new broom is brought home, it should not be used right away. It must be given the respect:
Offering:
Sanctify the new broom by offering it to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber to welcome wealth.
Placement:
Keep it safely in a direction where it does not lie openly or get stepped on, as it is respectful to the Goddess's symbol. Vastu Shastra usually recommends keeping it in the northwest or west direction.
Throwing Away the Old:
The old broom must be discarded properly, but traditionally, you cannot do so on Dhanteras day itself.
Purchasing a new one on Dhanteras is a beautiful, inexpensive, and significant way for all to engage in the festival's underlying message: sweeping away the old to usher in a clean, prosperous, and positive new start.
Also Read: Dhanteras 2025: What to Buy for Wealth, Luck, and Prosperity This Festive Season
