Quick answer: Dhanteras falls on Friday 6 November 2026, opening the Diwali festival. Devotees chant Lakshmi, Kubera and Dhanvantari mantras to invite wealth, health and prosperity. Light a lamp, offer flowers, and recite these sacred mantras with a calm, grateful heart at dusk.

Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November 2026 and marks the joyful beginning of the five-day Diwali festival. On this day devotees welcome Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Dhanvantari into their homes, praying for wealth, gold, good health and lasting prosperity. Chanting sacred mantras with devotion is one of the simplest and most beloved ways to honour these deities.

Dhanteras, also called Dhantrayodashi, is observed on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Kartik month. The word itself blends dhan (wealth) with teras (the thirteenth day). It is traditional to buy gold, silver, new utensils or auspicious items, and to clean and decorate the home so that Lakshmi finds it welcoming.

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Dhanteras 2026 Date and the Diwali Sequence

Dhanteras opens the Diwali celebrations, which unfold over five days in 2026. Knowing the full sequence helps you plan your prayers, purchases and pujas in advance.

Festival DayDate 2026
DhanterasFriday 6 November 2026
Naraka Chaturdasi / Choti DiwaliSaturday 7 November 2026
Diwali / Lakshmi PujaSunday 8 November 2026
Govardhan Puja / AnnakutMonday 9 November 2026
Bhai DoojTuesday 10 November 2026

Why Mantras Matter on Dhanteras

Mantras are sacred sound formulas that focus the mind and heart in devotion. On Dhanteras, chanting is believed to attract divine grace, dissolve inner and outer poverty, and align the household with abundance. The power lies less in perfect pronunciation and more in sincere faith, steady repetition and a grateful attitude. Traditionally, mantras are chanted at dusk after lighting a lamp near the entrance or the puja space.

Lakshmi Mantras for Wealth and Prosperity

Goddess Lakshmi is the presiding deity of wealth, fortune and beauty. The most widely chanted invocation is the simple seed mantra Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah, offered to seek her blessings for prosperity and well-being. Many devotees also recite the beloved Shri Suktam, a Vedic hymn praising Lakshmi, though its full verses are long and best learned from a teacher or trusted recording.

  • Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah — a short, easy seed mantra for daily and Dhanteras chanting.
  • The Shri Suktam — a longer Vedic hymn of praise; listen and follow along if you are new to it.
  • Simple prayers of gratitude in your own language, thanking Lakshmi for what you already have.

Kubera Mantras for Gold and Abundance

Lord Kubera is revered as the treasurer of the gods and the guardian of wealth. Devotees invoke him on Dhanteras to safeguard their savings and increase their fortune. A commonly chanted invocation is Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Kubera Namah, offered with a wish for financial stability and honest prosperity. Kubera is often worshipped alongside Lakshmi, since wealth is asked for and abundance is granted together.

Dhanvantari Mantra for Health and Healing

Dhanteras is also the appearance day of Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician who emerged during the churning of the ocean carrying the pot of amrita. Because true wealth includes good health, many families chant a Dhanvantari mantra such as Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye, praying for wellness, immunity and freedom from disease for the whole household.

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How to Chant on Dhanteras 2026

  1. Clean your home and puja space, and decorate the entrance with rangoli and lamps.
  2. Bathe and wear fresh clothes before beginning your prayers, ideally at dusk.
  3. Light a diya or oil lamp and offer flowers, incense, fruits and sweets to the deities.
  4. Sit calmly facing east or north, and chant your chosen mantra 11, 21 or 108 times using a mala if you have one.
  5. Close with a moment of gratitude and a prayer for the well-being of your family and all beings.

Simple Offerings for the Puja

  • LampGhee or oil diya lit at dusk
  • FlowersFresh lotus, marigold or any available flowers
  • SweetsHomemade prasad or seasonal fruit
  • Auspicious buyGold, silver, a coin or a new utensil, as per your means

A Devotional Note for Dhanteras 2026

The heart of Dhanteras is not merely acquiring gold, but cultivating gratitude, generosity and inner richness. As you chant these mantras on Friday 6 November 2026, remember to share with those in need and welcome the festival with a joyful spirit. For exact local puja timings and community events, please check announcements from your nearby temple or community organisers.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Dhanteras in 2026?

Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November 2026. It marks the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, which culminates in Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 November 2026.

What is the simplest Lakshmi mantra to chant on Dhanteras?

The seed mantra Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah is one of the simplest and most popular invocations. It can be chanted 11, 21 or 108 times with devotion to seek prosperity.

Why is Lord Dhanvantari worshipped on Dhanteras?

Dhanteras is regarded as the appearance day of Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician. Devotees pray to him for good health, since true wealth includes wellness and freedom from disease.

Which mantra is chanted for Kubera on Dhanteras?

A commonly chanted Kubera invocation is Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Kubera Namah, offered to seek financial stability, protection of savings and honest prosperity.

What time should I chant Dhanteras mantras?

Mantras are traditionally chanted at dusk after lighting a lamp. For exact auspicious timings in 2026, check the panchang or announcements from your local temple.

Do I need a mala to chant these mantras?

A mala helps count repetitions such as 108, but it is not essential. Sincere faith, steady focus and a grateful heart matter more than any counting tool.

Is buying gold necessary on Dhanteras?

Buying gold, silver, a coin or a new utensil is a cherished tradition, but it should be done within your means. Devotion and gratitude are more important than the size of the purchase.

Can I chant Dhanteras mantras in my own language?

Yes. Alongside the Sanskrit mantras, you can offer heartfelt prayers of gratitude in your own language. The devotion behind the words is what truly matters.