Dhanteras 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat, What to Buy and Significance

Last updated: 3 November 2026

Dhanteras 2026 date and puja muhurat

Dhanteras (also Dhanatrayodashi) is observed on the Trayodashi of the dark fortnight of Kartik. Tradition favours buying while the Trayodashi tithi is in force — in Nashik that is from 10:30 AM on 6 November until 10:47 AM on 7 November — and doing the puja in the Pradosh evening. Other websites print different muhurat windows because they use another city’s sunset; for example, a Mumbai figure is later than a Delhi figure.

What does Dhanteras mean?

Dhan means wealth and teras (trayodashi) is the thirteenth lunar day. Dhanteras is therefore the “thirteenth day of wealth”, the first main day of Diwali. In Maharashtra it is called Dhanatrayodashi.

Dhanteras and Dhanvantari: the real meaning

The day is more than shopping. According to tradition, Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician and the source of Ayurveda, appeared on this day from the churning of the ocean (Samudra manthan) carrying the pot of amrit. That is why the health of the family is as important as its wealth, and why India observes National Ayurveda Day on Dhanteras. The word “dhan” also carries the sense of health as wealth.

Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera are worshipped on the same day for prosperity, so the puja honours three things together: health (Dhanvantari), wealth (Lakshmi and Kubera) and protection (Yama Deepam). Worship of Dhanvantari is about health and Ayurveda; worship of Lakshmi and Kubera is about prosperity — they are different prayers.

What to buy on Dhanteras

• Gold or silver — coins, small ornaments or a silver idol. Buying even a small silver coin is considered auspicious.
• Metal utensils — brass, copper or silver vessels, the oldest tradition of the day.
• A new broom (jhadu) — many households buy one, as the broom is associated with cleanliness and Lakshmi.
• Coriander seeds (dhane) — offered in the puja and later sown or kept.
• Lakshmi–Ganesh idols and puja items for the Lakshmi Puja on 8 November.
• Home assets — some families use the day to buy a vehicle, appliance or property.

Smart shopping tips

• Buy gold only with the BIS hallmark (with the HUID code) and ask for a proper bill.
• Compare the making charges and the day’s rate; gold prices change daily and nothing here is investment advice.
• If you do not want physical gold, some people choose gold ETFs; decide according to your own finances.
• Some households avoid buying iron, glass or black items on Dhanteras — this is a custom, not a rule.

Dhanteras puja vidhi at home

1. Clean the house and draw a rangoli at the door; place a small footprint (Lakshmi pavali) toward the inside.
2. In the Pradosh window, place a chowki with a red cloth and set the idols or pictures of Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kubera. If you do not have a Dhanvantari idol, a picture or a kalash is enough.
3. Light a ghee diya, offer flowers, kumkum, rice and incense, then the naivedya of sweets, coriander seeds with jaggery (dhane–gul) and fruits.
4. Worship the newly bought gold, silver, utensils or coins together with the idols.
5. Chant “Om Dhanvantaraye Namah” and “Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah” and do the aarti.
6. Light the Yama Deepam: a diya with oil at the main door facing south, lit in the evening of 6 November.

Yama Deepdan: story and significance

The legend tells of King Hima’s sixteen-year-old son, who was fated to die of a snake bite on the fourth night after his marriage. His young wife kept him awake, piled her ornaments and coins at the door and lit many lamps; the glow dazzled Yama, who came in the form of a serpent, and he left without taking the prince. Since then a lamp is lit for Yama on Dhanteras night to pray for protection from untimely death. It is a belief, not a prediction.

Dhanteras 2026 timeline (Nashik, 6–7 November)

Dhanteras in different parts of India

• Maharashtra: Dhanatrayodashi — worship of Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kubera; a prasad of coriander seeds with jaggery.
• Gujarat and Rajasthan: traders buy gold, silver and new account books and prepare for Lakshmi Puja.
• North India: large crowds at jewellery and utensil markets; Yama Deepam lamps at the door.
• Across India: Dhanvantari is remembered with Ayurveda prayers, and National Ayurveda Day is observed on Dhanteras.

How to light the Yama Deepam, step by step

1. Choose the diya. Take a clean clay diya (a four-faced or chaumukha one if you have it).
2. Fill it. Use mustard or sesame oil and four cotton wicks if the diya has four faces.
3. Place it. Keep it outside the main door, on a small mound of grain or rice, facing south, the direction of Yama.
4. Light it in the evening of 6 November during Pradosh Kaal.
5. Pray. Offer a flower and pray for the long life and safety of the family; do not move the diya until it burns out.

Gold buying checklist for Dhanteras

1. Check the day’s price per gram on two or three trusted jewellers’ websites or stores before you go.
2. Insist on the BIS hallmark with HUID and check the purity (22K or 24K) on the invoice.
3. Compare making charges and ask what the shop will pay if you sell the piece back.
4. Pay by bank transfer or UPI and keep the invoice; avoid large cash deals.
5. Be cautious of “Dhanteras offers” that look too good to be true and of buying in a rush at the end of the day.

Dhanteras dos and don’ts

• Do clean the house, light diyas and perform the puja in the evening with the family.
• Do buy what you need and can afford — even a small silver coin or a new steel utensil honours the day.
• Do not borrow money to buy gold only because of the date; tradition values intention over expense.
• Do not give away money or salt on this day, as some families believe; this is a custom, not a rule.
• Do not leave the house dark after dusk: keep a lamp lit at the entrance.

Related Diwali guides

After Dhanteras comes the main festival: read the Lakshmi Puja 2026 muhurat and vidhi and the full Diwali 2026 calendar.