Dhanteras 2026: Complete Guide to Date, Puja Vidhi, Rituals & Significance

Quick answer: Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November. Also called Dhantrayodashi, it marks the first day of Diwali. Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Dhanvantari, buy gold, silver and metal utensils, and light lamps to invite prosperity, health and wealth into their homes.

Dhanteras 2026 will be observed on Friday 6 November 2026. Also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanvantari Trayodashi, this sacred day marks the auspicious beginning of the five-day Diwali festival celebrations across India and among Hindu communities worldwide.

The word Dhanteras combines 'Dhan', meaning wealth, and 'Teras', referring to the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodashi) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. It is a day devoted to prosperity, good health, and the invocation of divine blessings before the main Diwali festivities.

Dhanteras 2026 Date and the Diwali Calendar

Dhanteras opens the Diwali sequence, which unfolds over five joyful days in 2026. Each day carries its own rituals and meaning, building towards the main Lakshmi Puja and beyond.

Since the exact muhurat timings depend on your city and sunset, always confirm the precise Dhanteras puja and shopping muhurat for 2026 with a trusted local panchang or temple announcement.

Significance of Dhanteras

Dhanteras honours three revered deities. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as the giver of wealth and abundance, Lord Kubera as the divine treasurer, and Lord Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, as the bestower of health and healing. According to tradition, Lord Dhanvantari emerged from the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) carrying the pot of Amrita, the nectar of immortality, which is why the day is also observed as Dhanvantari Jayanti and celebrated by the Ayurvedic community as National Ayurveda Day.

The day symbolises the belief that true prosperity unites material wealth with physical well-being and inner contentment. Buying something new on Dhanteras is considered a gesture of welcoming Lakshmi into the home.

Dhanteras Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step)

The Dhanteras puja is usually performed in the evening after sunset, during the auspicious Pradosh Kaal, when lamps are lit and the home is cleansed and decorated. Follow this simple, devotional sequence.

1. Clean the home thoroughly and purify the puja area by sprinkling water and drawing a rangoli and small footprints of Goddess Lakshmi at the entrance.
2. Place idols or images of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Dhanvantari on a clean, red or yellow cloth.
3. Light a ghee or oil diya, offer incense, and place fresh flowers, kumkum, haldi and rice before the deities.
4. Offer sweets, fruits, and any newly purchased items such as gold, silver or utensils for blessing.
5. Chant the mantras of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera, meditate on prosperity and health, and perform the aarti.
6. Light 13 diyas and place them around the home, especially at the main door, keeping one lamp facing south for Yama in the evening.

Mantras for Dhanteras

Devotees traditionally recite the Lakshmi mantra 'Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed' to invoke the Goddess, and the Kubera mantra 'Om Yakshaya Kuberaya' for wealth. The Dhanvantari mantra is chanted for good health. Recite only well-known, standard mantras and, if unsure, seek guidance from a priest or elder.

Dhanteras Rituals and Traditions

• Buying gold, silver, or new metal utensils, considered a symbol of incoming prosperity.
• Lighting a special diya for Yama, the god of death, to protect the household from untimely misfortune (Yama Deepam).
• Cleaning and decorating the home with rangoli, marigold garlands and rows of lamps.
• Worshipping money, account books, and new business tools, especially by traders and shopkeepers.
• Preparing festive sweets and sharing them with family, neighbours and the needy.

What to Buy on Dhanteras

It is customary to purchase something new and auspicious on Dhanteras. Popular choices reflect the spirit of Lakshmi and abundance, though the intention behind the purchase matters more than its cost.

• Gold and silver coins, jewellery, or small idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha.
• Brass, bronze, copper, or steel utensils for the kitchen.
• Dhania (coriander) seeds, considered a symbol of prosperity in many regions.
• A broom, seen as a form of Goddess Lakshmi that sweeps away poverty.
• New puja items, diyas, or a Kubera yantra for the home.

Yama Deepam on Dhanteras

An important yet lesser-known ritual is the lighting of the Yama Deepam. A single lamp filled with oil is lit and placed outside the home facing south, dedicated to Yama, the lord of death, with a prayer for the long life and safety of family members. This is traditionally done at dusk on Dhanteras evening.

How Dhanteras Is Celebrated Across India

While the core spirit remains the same, Dhanteras takes on regional colour. In North India, markets glitter with gold and utensil shopping. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, traders begin worship of their account books ahead of the new financial year. Ayurvedic practitioners across the country honour Lord Dhanvantari. For exact local timings, temple events and community celebrations in 2026, always check announcements from your nearby temple or community organisation.

Do's and Don'ts on Dhanteras

• DoClean and decorate your home, light diyas, and perform puja with devotion.
• DoBuy something auspicious within your means and share sweets with others.
• Don'tAvoid buying items made of glass, iron, or sharp objects, considered inauspicious by tradition.
• Don'tAvoid keeping the home dark or lending large sums of money on this day.

Observed with faith, cleanliness and generosity, Dhanteras 2026 sets a radiant, hopeful tone for the entire Diwali festival, inviting wealth, wellness and joy into every home.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Dhanteras in 2026?

Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November 2026. It marks the first day of the five-day Diwali festival and is followed by Choti Diwali, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj.

Why is Dhanteras celebrated?

Dhanteras celebrates Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Dhanvantari. It honours wealth, prosperity and good health, and marks the emergence of Lord Dhanvantari with the nectar of immortality during the Samudra Manthan.

What should I buy on Dhanteras 2026?

It is auspicious to buy gold, silver, new metal utensils, coriander seeds, a broom, or puja items. The most important thing is the devotional intention behind the purchase, not its cost.

What is the Dhanteras puja vidhi?

Clean the home, set up idols of Lakshmi, Kubera and Dhanvantari, light diyas, offer flowers, sweets and new purchases, chant the deities' mantras, and perform aarti during the evening Pradosh Kaal.

What is Yama Deepam on Dhanteras?

Yama Deepam is a lamp lit at dusk and placed outside the home facing south, dedicated to Yama, the god of death. It is offered with prayers for the long life and safety of family members.

Is Dhanteras the same as Dhanvantari Jayanti?

Yes. Dhanteras is also observed as Dhanvantari Jayanti, honouring the divine physician Lord Dhanvantari. It is celebrated as National Ayurveda Day, especially among Ayurvedic practitioners.

What mantras are chanted on Dhanteras?

Devotees chant standard Lakshmi mantras such as 'Om Shreem Hreem Shreem', the Kubera mantra 'Om Yakshaya Kuberaya', and the Dhanvantari mantra for health. If unsure, seek guidance from a priest or elder.

What time is the Dhanteras 2026 puja muhurat?

The Dhanteras puja is generally performed in the evening during Pradosh Kaal after sunset. Exact muhurat timings vary by city, so confirm the precise 2026 timing with a trusted local panchang or temple.