Dhanteras 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat, What to Buy & Vidhi
Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November, marking the start of the five-day Diwali festival. Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kuber and Lord Dhanvantari, and it is considered the most auspicious day of the year to buy gold, silver and new utensils. Want a pandit to perform Lakshmi-Kuber Puja at home or your shop? [Book a Pandit on Prayfullit] now.
This guide covers the exact date, Pradosh Kaal puja muhurat, what to buy, puja vidhi, Yamadeepdan rituals and the legends behind the festival.
Dhanteras 2026: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival | Dhanteras / Dhanatrayodashi / Dhanvantari Jayanti |
| Date | Friday, 6 November 2026 |
| Tithi | Kartik Krishna Trayodashi |
| Pradosh Kaal Muhurat (Delhi) | ~5:48 PM – 7:14 PM |
| Vrishabha Kaal Muhurat (Delhi) | ~5:42 PM – 7:38 PM |
| Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | 8 November 2026 |
| Diwali festival span | 6–10 November 2026 (Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj) |
Puja timings above are indicative for Delhi and shift with sunset in each city — Kolkata's window opens earliest, Mumbai's latest. Confirm the exact Pradosh Kaal muhurat for your target city on Drik Panchang before publishing.
What Is Dhanteras?
Dhanteras, also called Dhanatrayodashi, falls on Trayodashi (the 13th day) of Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month, two days before Diwali. "Dhan" means wealth and "Teras" refers to the thirteenth lunar day — together marking a day devoted to prosperity, health and new beginnings.
It is also celebrated as Dhanvantari Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods and father of Ayurveda, observed nationally as Ayurveda Day.
Why Dhanteras Is Significant
The Legend of Dhanvantari: During the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Lord Dhanvantari emerged bearing a pot of Amrit (nectar of immortality) along with the knowledge of Ayurveda.
The Legend of King Hima's Son: As the story goes, a young prince was fated to die of snakebite on the fourth night of his marriage. His wife laid out gold and silver ornaments and coins at the entrance of their room and kept lamps burning through the night. When Yama, the god of death, arrived in the form of a serpent, he was blinded by the glow of the wealth and lamps and could not enter — sparing the prince's life. This is the origin of Yamadeepdan, lighting a lamp for Yama on Dhanteras evening.
Dhanteras Puja Vidhi
- Clean the home thoroughly — a clean, well-lit home is considered essential to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
- Set up the puja area with idols or images of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kuber.
- Perform the puja during Pradosh Kaal, the auspicious evening window after sunset.
- Offer flowers, sweets and incense to Lakshmi and Kuber, along with newly purchased items — gold, silver, utensils or coins.
- Light a diya for Lord Dhanvantari, praying for the health and wellbeing of the family.
- Perform Yamadeepdan in the evening: light a mustard-oil diya and place it facing south, outside the main door, to honour Yama and ward off untimely death.
What to Buy on Dhanteras
- Gold and silver — coins, jewellery or small ornaments
- New utensils (bartan) — steel or brass kitchenware is especially traditional
- Lakshmi-Ganesh idols or coins for the Diwali puja
- Vehicles or property, for those planning larger purchases
- Broom (jhadu) — considered a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi and prosperity in many households
- Silver or brass items for Puja, such as diyas and kalash
Yamadeepdan: Lighting the Lamp for Yama
On Dhanteras evening, a diya filled with mustard oil is lit and placed outside the main entrance, facing south — the direction associated with Yama, the god of death. This ritual is believed to ward off untimely death and accidents in the family through the coming year.
Dhanteras and the Start of Diwali
Dhanteras opens the five-day Diwali festival:
| Day | Date 2026 | Festival |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 6 November | Dhanteras |
| Day 2 | 7 November | Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) |
| Day 3 | 8 November | Diwali / Lakshmi Puja |
| Day 4 | 9 November | Govardhan Puja |
| Day 5 | 10 November | Bhai Dooj |
Confirm this sequence against Drik Panchang closer to the date, as tithi overlaps can occasionally shift Choti Diwali and Diwali onto the same evening in some regions.
Book a Pandit for Dhanteras 2026 with Prayfullit
Whether you need Lakshmi-Kuber Puja at home, a Dhanvantari Homa for family health, or an office Dhanteras puja, Prayfullit connects you with experienced, verified pandits.
- Book Lakshmi-Kuber Puja and Dhanvantari Homa services
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- Arrange home or office Dhanteras puja
Book Your Pandit for Dhanteras or Talk to Our Team to plan your puja.
Conclusion
Dhanteras on 6 November 2026 sets the tone for the entire Diwali season — a day of wealth, health and new beginnings. Book Your Pandit on Prayfullit for Lakshmi-Kuber Puja, or shop our range of Dhanteras puja essentials to prepare your home.
