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Englishहिन्दीతెలుగుதமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡमराठीമലയാളംবাংলা
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Diwali colouring page: gods and asuras churn the ocean with Mount Mandara while Dhanvantari rises with the pot of amrit
Episode 1 of 5 · Day 1 · Dhanteras

Churning the ocean

  • 1 min read
  • Ages 3–10
  • 4 pages
  • Free

Gods and asuras churn the ocean, and Dhanvantari rises with the pot of amrit.

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  1. Long ago, the gods and the asuras churned the great ocean, using Mount Mandara as the churning stick and the serpent Vasuki as the rope.

  2. Lord Vishnu, as a turtle, held the mountain up.

  3. Out of the ocean rose Dhanvantari, carrying a pot of amrit, the nectar of long life.

  4. That is why families buy something new and shiny on Dhanteras.

Talk about it: Who is pulling the serpent on each side? Can you find the turtle?

Learn more

Facts, a quiz and words to know

Did you know?

  • Dhanteras comes from dhana (wealth) and teras (the thirteenth day of the fortnight). It is the first of the five days of Diwali.
  • The god Dhanvantari is the physician of the gods and a symbol of health. India celebrates National Ayurveda Day on Dhanteras.
  • The churning of the ocean also gave the world Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
  • Many families light a lamp outside the house on this night. It is called Yamadeepdaan.

Quick quiz

  1. 1Who rose from the ocean with the pot of amrit?

    1. Dhanvantari
    2. Hanuman
    3. Garuda
    Show the answer

    A. Dhanvantari. Dhanvantari.

  2. 2What served as the churning rope?

    1. The serpent Vasuki
    2. A banyan root
    3. A river
    Show the answer

    A. The serpent Vasuki. Vasuki.

  3. 3Which day of Diwali is Dhanteras?

    1. The first
    2. The last
    3. The third
    Show the answer

    A. The first. The first of five days.

Words to know

Dhana
Wealth
Amrit
The nectar of long life
Samudra manthan
The churning of the ocean
Dhanvantari
The divine physician

Think and do

Talk about it. What is the real wealth in your life, besides things you can buy?

Try it. Make a "wealth list" of five things that are not things, such as friends, health or a favourite place.

Remember: Health is wealth.

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