Dhanteras 2026

The festival of wealth and prosperity — November 6, 2026 — with muhurat, what to buy, Yamraj diya ritual, and Kuber Puja

November 6, 2026 Date
5:31 – 6:28 PM Pradosh Muhurat
7:53 – 8:45 PM Evening Muhurat
Trayodashi Tithi

Dhanteras 2026 Puja Muhurat

Pradosh Kaal Muhurat
5:31 PM – 6:28 PM
November 6, 2026 · IST · Best timing
Evening Muhurat
7:53 PM – 8:45 PM
November 6, 2026 · IST · Also auspicious

⚠️ The Yamraj diya is lit and kept facing south throughout the night.

What is Dhanteras?

Dhanteras (धनतेरस) — also spelled Dhantrayodashi or Dhanatrayodashi — is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival. It falls on the 13th lunar day (trayodashi) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of Kartik month in the Hindu calendar.

The word "Dhanteras" combines:

  • Dhan (धन) — meaning wealth, treasure, and prosperity
  • Teras (तेरस) — the 13th day (trayodashi)

On this day, Hindus worship Lord Kuber (treasurer of the gods), Goddess Lakshmi, and also perform the Yamraj diya ritual to ward off early death. It is the most auspicious day in the Hindu calendar for purchasing gold, silver, coins, and new household items.

Mythology: According to the Puranas, the goddess Lakshmi emerged from the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) on Dhanteras, along with Dhanvantari (the god of health and medicine) carrying a pot of amrita (nectar of immortality). Both are worshipped on this day.

What to Buy on Dhanteras 2026

Purchasing something new on Dhanteras is considered extremely auspicious — it is believed to bring 13-fold return (because of the trayodashi tithi). Here is what is traditionally bought and why:

Gold

Gold jewelry, gold coins, or gold bars. Even a small gold coin counts. Gold is the symbol of Lakshmi herself.

Most Auspicious

Silver

Silver coins with Lakshmi-Ganesh imprinted are the most popular Dhanteras purchase. Silver represents the moon and prosperity.

Most Auspicious

New Utensils

Brass, steel, or copper vessels for the kitchen. Buying utensils on Dhanteras is an ancient tradition in Indian households.

Traditional

Diamonds & Gemstones

Diamond jewelry or precious gemstones purchased on Dhanteras are believed to multiply in value.

Auspicious

Property

Signing property documents, making down payments, or booking a new home on Dhanteras is considered very auspicious.

Auspicious

Vehicles

Many families take delivery of new cars and two-wheelers on Dhanteras and have them blessed by a priest.

Modern Tradition

Electronics

Modern adaptation — purchasing phones, appliances, and gadgets on Dhanteras for new beginnings.

Modern

Diyas & Lamps

Buying clay diyas, decorative lamps, and puja items for the coming Diwali celebration.

Traditional
Do NOT Buy: Iron, oil, plastic items, brooms, or items that are broken, chipped, or used. Avoid purchasing items associated with darkness or negativity on Dhanteras.

Yamraj Diya — Protection Ritual

The most important ritual exclusive to Dhanteras (not done on any other night) is the lighting of the Yamraj Diya — a special oil lamp placed facing south, in honor of Yama, the god of death.

Mythology: It is told that on this day, a young king named Hema died on his wedding night due to a curse. His wife kept him alive until dawn by piling gold, silver, and bright lamps around him, confusing the serpents sent by Yama with the blinding light. Since then, lighting a lamp facing south on Dhanteras keeps death and ill health away from the family for the year.

How to Perform the Yamraj Diya

  1. After sunset but before the muhurat ends (before 8:45 PM on November 6)
  2. Take a new clay diya — a large one, different from the decorative diyas
  3. Fill it with sesame oil (til ka tel) — not ghee
  4. Place a cotton wick in it
  5. Light the diya
  6. Place it facing south — at the doorstep or in the south corner of your home
  7. Fold your hands and pray: "O Yamraj, I offer this light in your honor. Keep my family safe, healthy, and free from untimely death."
  8. Leave it burning through the night — do not extinguish it
Note: This is the ONE ritual where the diya faces south. On all other occasions during Diwali, diyas face east or north. The south-facing diya is specifically to honor and appease Yamraj (Yama).

Kuber Puja Vidhi for Dhanteras

Kuber (Lord of Wealth) is worshipped alongside Goddess Lakshmi on Dhanteras. Kuber governs the north direction and is the divine treasurer. Here is the simple Kuber puja:

  1. Set Up Place a Kuber idol or image facing north. Place gold or silver coins before it.
  2. Invoke Light a ghee diya and incense. Ring the bell. Say: "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" first (Ganesh invocation), then invoke Kuber.
  3. Offer Offer yellow marigold flowers, yellow sweets (especially laddoos or banana), and a betel leaf with supari.
  4. Mantra Chant the Kuber mantra 108 times:
    Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanyasamriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Svaha
  5. Kuber Yantra If you have a Kuber Yantra, place it before the idol and trace the grid with a gold ring while chanting.
  6. Accounts Business owners: bring their account books (bahi-khata), place them before Kuber and Lakshmi, and say a prayer for prosperous business in the year ahead.
  7. Close Perform aarti, distribute prasad, and keep the coins placed during puja in your safe or locker — they hold Kuber's blessing.

Dhanvantari Puja — For Health

Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantari Trayodashi. Lord Dhanvantari — the divine physician who emerged from the cosmic ocean holding the pot of immortal nectar — is worshipped specifically on this day for health and freedom from disease.

Dhanvantari Mantra

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye Amrita Kalasha Hastaya Sarva Amaya Vinashanaya Trailokyanadhaya Dhanvantaraye Namah

Meaning

"Om, salutations to Lord Dhanvantari, an avatar of Vishnu, holding the pot of nectar of immortality, destroyer of all diseases, lord of the three worlds — I bow to you."

Chant this 108 times on Dhanteras — especially for family members with health challenges.

Five Days of Diwali — Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj

November 6, 2026

Day 1 — Dhanteras

Shopping for gold/silver, Kuber Puja (5:31–6:28 PM), Yamraj south-facing diya, Dhanvantari puja for health.

November 7, 2026

Day 2 — Chhoti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi)

14 diyas lit at dusk. Abhyanga snan (oil bath) before sunrise. Celebrates Krishna's victory over Narakasura.

November 8, 2026

Day 3 — Diwali (Main) 🪔

Lakshmi Puja during Pradosh Kaal (6:53–8:16 PM IST). Fireworks. Family celebration. The grandest night.

November 9, 2026

Day 4 — Govardhan Puja (Annakut)

Celebrates Krishna lifting Govardhan mountain. Mountain of food (annakut) offered to the deity. New Hindu year begins.

November 10, 2026

Day 5 — Bhai Dooj

Sisters apply tilak on brothers' foreheads and pray for their longevity. Brothers give gifts. Celebrates sibling bond.

Dhanteras FAQs

  • Yes — ordering gold coins, silver coins, or jewelry online that arrives on Dhanteras (or the day before) is considered equally auspicious. Many e-commerce platforms now offer Dhanteras-day gold deliveries.

  • Always south. The Yamraj diya must face the south direction — this is unique to Dhanteras. It is placed at the south wall, south corner, or at the doorstep facing south. All other Diwali diyas typically face east or north.

  • No — it is a tradition, not a mandatory religious obligation. If gold is beyond budget, even buying a new utensil, a bag of coins, or a silver-colored bowl is considered auspicious. The intent of bringing something new into the home on this auspicious day is what matters.

  • Dhanteras is Day 1 of the five-day Diwali festival. It focuses on wealth, health, and the Yamraj ritual — and is the day for buying gold and silver. The main Diwali (Day 3 — November 8) is when Lakshmi Puja is performed and fireworks are lit. Both days involve lighting diyas and worshipping Lakshmi, but their rituals and timing are different.

  • The Pradosh Kaal muhurat window 5:31 PM – 6:28 PM IST on November 6, 2026 is considered most auspicious. However, purchasing gold or silver at any time during Dhanteras day is considered blessed. The evening muhurat (7:53–8:45 PM) is also auspicious for shopping and puja.