Dhanteras 2026, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhana Trayodashi, is the auspicious first day of the five-day Diwali festival. In 2026, Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6, and is one of the most significant days in the Hindu calendar for worshipping Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kubera. This day is celebrated with great devotion across India and Nepal, marking the beginning of festivities dedicated to wealth, health, and prosperity.
Whether you’re looking for the Dhanteras 2026 date, shubh muhurat, puja vidhi, or the best items to buy — this complete guide covers everything you need to know.
Dhanteras 2026 Date & Tithi Details
|
Detail |
Information |
|---|---|
| Festival | Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi) |
| Date | Friday, November 6, 2026 |
| Tithi | Trayodashi Tithi, Krishna Paksha |
| Hindu Month | Kartik (Ashwin as per Amanta tradition) |
| Day of Diwali | Day 1 of 5-day Diwali festival |
| Diwali 2026 | Sunday, November 8, 2026 |
Dhanteras 2026 Shubh Muhurat (Puja Timing)
|
Muhurat Detail |
Timing (New Delhi) |
|---|---|
| Dhanteras Puja Muhurat | 6:02 PM to 7:58 PM |
| Pradosh Kaal | 5:32 PM to 8:09 PM |
| Duration | Approx. 1 hour 56 minutes |
Significance of Dhanteras
Dhanteras holds deep spiritual and cultural significance in Hinduism:
Lord Dhanvantari Worship: Dhanvantari, the divine physician and an avatar of Lord Vishnu, emerged during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) holding a pot of Amrit (nectar of immortality) and the sacred Ayurveda text. Devotees pray for good health and well-being.
Goddess Lakshmi & Lord Kubera: The evening puja is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Lord Kubera (treasurer of the gods) to invite prosperity and abundance into the home.
National Ayurveda Day: The Indian government declared Dhanteras as National Ayurveda Day, first observed on October 28, 2016, honouring the ancient science of Ayurveda.
Auspicious Purchases: Buying gold, silver, utensils, and new items on Dhanteras is considered extremely lucky, symbolizing the arrival of new “Dhana” (wealth).
Beginning of Diwali: Dhanteras marks the start of the five-day Diwali celebration — a time of cleansing, renewal, and welcoming auspiciousness.
Dhanteras Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Ritual)
Follow these steps for a complete Dhanteras puja at home:
1. Clean Your Home: Thoroughly clean and whitewash your home. Declutter to welcome positive energy.
2. Decorate the Entrance: Adorn the main entrance with colourful rangoli, marigold torans, and decorative lights.
3. Draw Lakshmi’s Footprints: Using rice flour and vermilion (kumkum), draw small footprints from the entrance leading inward — symbolizing Goddess Lakshmi entering your home.
4. Set Up the Puja Altar: Place idols or images of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari. Keep new purchases (gold, silver, utensils) near the altar.
5. Light Diyas: Light earthen diyas (oil lamps) using mustard oil or ghee. Place them at the altar, entrance, and near a Tulsi plant.
6. Offer Puja Items: Offer flowers, incense (dhoop), sweets, fruits, kumkum, turmeric, rice (akshat), and betel leaves.
7. Recite Mantras & Aarti: Chant Lakshmi mantras, Kubera mantras, and perform the aarti. Sing devotional bhajans in praise of Goddess Lakshmi.
8. Offer Naivedya: In Maharashtra, a special tradition involves offering a mixture of dried coriander seeds pounded with jaggery as naivedya.
9. Keep Diyas Burning All Night: It is customary to keep the diyas lit throughout the night as an offering to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari.
10. Offer Light to Yama: Place a diya outside the home facing south as an offering to Yama (god of death) to avert untimely death.
What to Buy on Dhanteras 2026
Dhanteras is considered the most auspicious day for shopping. Here’s what to buy:
Highly Auspicious Purchases:
- Gold jewellery or gold coins
- Silver items (coins, utensils, idols)
- New utensils (brass, copper, steel)
- Lakshmi-Ganesh idols or silver coins
- Broom (symbolizes sweeping away negativity)
Modern Auspicious Purchases:
- New vehicles (cars, bikes)
- Electronics and home appliances
- Real estate or property bookings
- Business investments
What NOT to Buy on Dhanteras:
- Sharp objects like knives or scissors (considered inauspicious)
- Black-coloured items
- Glass or fragile items
- Aluminium utensils (prefer brass, copper, or silver)
Dhanteras Traditions Across India
North India: Families perform Lakshmi-Kubera puja, buy gold/silver, and light diyas. Markets buzz with shoppers.
Maharashtra: A unique tradition of offering dried coriander seeds with jaggery as naivedya. Families enjoy special meals.
Gujarat: Dhanteras marks the eve of the Gujarati New Year. Families enjoy daal baath and malpua.
South India (Tamil Nadu): Brahmin women prepare “marundu” (herbal medicine) on Dhanteras eve, consumed early on Naraka Chaturdashi to balance the body’s tridoshas.
Villages: Cattle are adorned and worshipped by farmers as their primary source of income and livelihood.
Dhanteras 2026 & Muhurat Trading
For the business and trading community, Diwali marks the beginning of a new financial year. On Dhanteras, traders perform puja to their account books and safes. A coin symbolizing wealth is place on the books. Stock exchanges conduct special Muhurat Trading sessions on Diwali day, believed to bring wealth and prosperity throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dhanteras 2026
Q1: When is Dhanteras 2026? A: Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Q2: What is the shubh muhurat for Dhanteras puja in 2026? A: The Dhanteras puja muhurat in New Delhi is from 6:02 PM to 7:58 PM on November 6, 2026, during Pradosh Kaal (5:32 PM – 8:09 PM).
Q3: Is Dhanteras on November 6 or November 7 in 2026? A: Although the Trayodashi Tithi extends into November 7, the main Dhanteras observance and Lakshmi-Kubera puja are on November 6, 2026.
Q4: What should I buy on Dhanteras 2026? A: Gold, silver, new utensils, Lakshmi-Ganesh idols, vehicles, and electronics are considered auspicious purchases on Dhanteras.
Q5: Why is Dhanteras celebrated? A: Dhanteras is celebrated to worship Lord Dhanvantari (god of Ayurveda), Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), and Lord Kubera (god of treasures) for health, wealth, and prosperity.
Q6: What is the significance of lighting diyas on Dhanteras? A: Diyas are lit as offerings to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari. A diya facing south is also offered to Yama (god of death) to avert untimely death.
Q7: Is Dhanteras also National Ayurveda Day? A: Yes, the Indian government declared Dhanteras as National Ayurveda Day, first observed on October 28, 2016.
Q8: What is the best time to buy gold on Dhanteras 2026? A: The most auspicious time to buy gold is during the Dhanteras puja muhurat — 6:02 PM to 7:58 PM on November 6, 2026.