South Asians have geared up with pomp and show and lots of light for one of their biggest festivals- Deepawali, the festival of lights, and the festival that signifies of victory of good over evil. As a prelude to this important festival, we have Dhanteras. Dhanteras, also known as ‘Dhanatrayodash falls on the thirteen lunar days of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of the calendar, every year. The day usually falls 1-2 days before Diwali. In 2019, the festival was celebrated on 25 October, a Friday, one day before the festival of lights. In 2026, Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November 2026.
Dhanteras 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat and Why It Is Celebrated
In 2026, Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November 2026, on Kartika Krishna Trayodashi. It is the first day of the five-day Diwali festivities and comes two days before Diwali. The main Lakshmi and Kuber puja is done in the evening during Pradosh Kaal, in the part of it when Vrishabha, a fixed or sthir lagna, is rising.
Dhanteras 2026 Key Facts
- Dhanteras 2026: Friday, 6 November 2026
- Tithi: Kartika Krishna Trayodashi (Ashwina Krishna Trayodashi in the amanta reckoning)
- Puja muhurat (New Delhi): about 06:02 PM to 07:57 PM IST, in Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha lagna – the window follows local sunset, so it differs by city
- Pradosh Kaal (New Delhi): about 05:33 PM to 08:09 PM IST on 6 November 2026
- Trayodashi tithi: begins around 10:30 AM on 6 November and ends around 10:47 AM on 7 November 2026, IST; clock times vary slightly by source and place
- Also called: Dhantrayodashi, Dhanatrayodashi, Dhanvantari Trayodashi
- Worshipped on this day: Goddess Lakshmi with Lord Kubera, Lord Dhanvantari, Lord Ganesha and Lord Yama
- Position in Diwali: first of the five days of Diwali; the main Diwali Lakshmi Puja follows two days later
Why the Dhanteras Muhurat Falls in the Evening
Dhanteras puja is done in Pradosh Kaal, the window that begins at sunset and lasts about two and a half hours, and is held to be most auspicious in the part of it when Vrishabha, a sthir or fixed lagna, is rising, so that the prosperity invoked is thought to stay. Because Pradosh Kaal is measured from local sunset and the lagna is calculated from local time, the muhurat shifts from city to city. Check a panchang for your own location instead of reusing the clock time printed for another city.
Also called as festival of wealth, the literal meaning of the festival is “Dhan” meaning wealth and “teras” meaning thirteen days, this festival pays tribute to Goddess Laxmi, Kuber, Yama and Lord Dhanvantari, who is the physician of the Gods.
The origin of Mythology
One such story states, During the Samundra Manthan, churning of the Ocean, during the thirteenth day Goddess Laxmi emerged along with Kuber, and choose to marry Vishnu, hence the day is celebrated to honor her and seek her blessings. Another legend tells us that, Lord Dhanvantari, an avatar of Lord Vishnu emerged from Samudra Manthan with a pot of elixir which was given to the gods and asuras lost. As an ode to Dhanvantari, the God of Ayurveda in the Hindu script, the day is celebrated as Dhanteras.
Another mythology links the festival with Yama. According to this legend, it is believed that the horoscope of a king Hima’s son predicted that he would die on the fourth day of marriage after getting bitten by a snake. On the 4th day of his marriage, his wife made sure her husband didn’t sleep, as she narrated stories to keep him awake. She laid out all the ornaments and coins at the entrance in a heap to lure the snake away. Supposedly when the God of Death came in disguise of a snake, he was blinded by all the dazzling jewelry and coins.
This way the serpent couldn’t enter the prince’s chamber and soon got hooked to the wife’s stories and songs and apparently spared the life of the Prince. People also worship Lord Yamaraja, the God of Death in the night and offer prayers to seek blessings as Yamadeepa.
What is done on this day?
In the evening, the family members gather and start the prayer. They worship Lord Ganesha and before that, give him a bath and anoint him with sandal paste. A red cloth is offered to the Lord and then fresh flowers are showered on the idol of Lord Ganesha. Devotees chant the mantra and take his blessings before starting the rituals of Dhanteras.
We chant the following mantra:
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥Vakra-Tunndda Maha-Kaaya Suurya-Kotti Samaprabha |
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa ||
After that, Lord Dhanwantari, founder of Ayurveda is worshipped. People pray for good health and wellbeing of their families. After bathing and anointing the idol of Lord Dhanwantari with vermillion, nine varieties of grains are offered to the Lord. People chant the following mantra:
“Om Namo Bhagavate Maha Sudharshana Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye; Amrutha Kalasa Hasthaaya Sarva Bhaya Vinasaya Sarva amaya Nivaranaya Thri Lokya Pathaye Thri Lokya Nidhaye Sri Maha Vishnu Swarupa Sri Dhanvantri Swarupa Sri Sri Sri Aoushata Chakra Narayana Swaha”
Lord Kubera is offered flowers, incense, fruits and sweets, and Diya. People chant the following Kubera mantra:
Om Yakshyaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaaya Dhanadhanyadi Padayeh
Dhana-Dhanya Samreeddhing Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha
How to Worship Laxmi?
According to Drikpanchang, Dhanteras puja should be done during the Pradosh kaal which starts after sunset. The best time to start the puja on Dhanteras during pradosh kaal is during sthir lagna. Sthir means fixed. During this auspicious period, it is said that goddess Lakshmi stays inside the home; hence it is the best time for Dhanteras Pujan. Vrishabha Lagna is considered as sthir and mostly overlaps with pradosh kaal during Diwali festivity.
During the Pradosh Kaal, which is the time after sunset and lasts for about two and a half hours, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on Dhanteras.
Before starting the rituals, a piece of new cloth is spread with a handful of grains in the middle of the cloth. The cloth should be spread on a raised platform. A Kalash half-filled with water (mixed with Gangajal), betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice grains is also kept together.
People also keep mango leaves in the Kalash. According to the rituals, a lotus is drawn with haldi (turmeric) over the grains and the idol of Goddess Lakshmi is kept over the grains. The idol of Lord Ganesha is also kept and businessmen keep their important business books near the idol of Goddess Laksmi. Devotees light a lamp, offer flowers, haldi, vermillion to the Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and to the kalash.
The chant:
Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmaye Namaha
After this, take a plate and bathe the idol of Lakshmi with panchamrit (mixture of milk, curd, ghee, butter and honey). This is followed by offering the Goddess sandal paste, saffron paste, ittar (perfume), vermillion, haldi and abeer.
Dhanteras 2019 Puja Time:
Dhanteras Puja on Friday, October 25, 2019
Dhanteras Puja Muhurat – 07:08 PM to 08:15 PM
Duration – 01 Hour 07 Min
Purchases on Dhanteras
On this day, Hindus consider it as an extremely auspicious day to make new purchases, especially gold or silver articles and new utensils. It is believed that new “Dhan” (wealth) or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck. In modern times, Dhanteras has come to be known as the most auspicious occasion for buying gold, silver and other metals especially kitchenware. The day also sees heavy purchases of appliances and automobiles.
The spiritual aspect of Dhanteras.
This day is a celebration aimed at increasing wealth and prosperity. Dhanteras engages themes of cleansing, renewal, and the securing of auspiciousness in the form of Lakshmi.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Dhanteras in 2026?
Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November 2026, on Kartika Krishna Trayodashi. It is the first day of the five-day Diwali festivities and comes two days before Diwali.
What is the Dhanteras 2026 puja muhurat?
The main muhurat is the evening Pradosh Kaal window in which Vrishabha, a fixed lagna, is rising. For New Delhi it runs from about 06:02 PM to 07:57 PM on 6 November 2026. The timing follows local sunset, so it differs from city to city.
Why is Dhanteras celebrated?
Dhanteras honours Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, and is also the day Goddess Lakshmi is believed to have emerged during the churning of the ocean. Devotees worship Lakshmi, Kubera, Dhanvantari and Yama, and pray for health, wealth and prosperity.
What should be bought on Dhanteras?
Gold, silver and new utensils are traditionally bought on Dhanteras, since a new form of wealth or precious metal is held to be auspicious. Many families also buy appliances and vehicles on this day.
Is Dhanteras the same as Dhanvantari Trayodashi?
Yes. Dhanteras is observed on Krishna Trayodashi and falls on the same day as Dhanvantari Trayodashi, the birth day of Lord Dhanvantari, and as Dhantrayodashi.
Is Dhanteras the first day of Diwali?
Dhanteras is the first of the five days of Diwali. It is followed by Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, then Lakshmi Puja on the main Diwali day, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj.