Dhanteras will take place on Friday, 6th November 2026. The Trayodashi Tithi starts on 6th November at 10:30 am and continues until 7th November 10:47 am.

The puja of Dhanteras will take place in the evening, in the Pradosh Kaal, when Trayodashi prevails. This being the case, since the tithi is prevailing in the evening on 6 November, this is the right date to celebrate the festival. Note that this day is different from year to year; therefore, base it on the tithi and not on the date. For instance, in 2027, Dhanteras will be celebrated on 27 October.

The best period for conducting the Lakshmi-Kubera puja on Dhanteras is the Pradosh Kaal in Sthir Lagna (Vrishabha Lagna). The word Sthir refers to fixed. As per the popular belief, when the puja is conducted in the fixed lagna, Goddess Lakshmi stays at home.

1. Lord Dhanwantari and Samudra Manthan

During the Samudra Manthan, Lord Dhanwantari appeared from the celestial sea as one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, with a pot filled with Amrit and Ayurveda in his hand. This is how Dhanteras is also known as the day of Dhanwantari Jayanti. The doctors, vaidyas, and Ayurvedic physicians pray on this day.

2. Goddess Lakshmi Emerges from the Ocean

Goddess Lakshmi also appeared from the same churning. This is why Lakshmi, along with Lord Kubera, the keeper of wealth, is worshipped on Trayodashi.

3. Tale of Hima and Yamraj

There is a famous folk tale that narrates about a prince who according to his horoscope was destined to die due to snakebite within the fourth night of his marriage. His wife Hima made an arrangement of gold and silver coins before the entrance and lit many lamps. She spent the entire night reading stories and singing. When Yamraj came in the disguise of a snake, he was blinded by the light and glittering coins. Listening to the songs sung by Hima, he left at dawn without doing anything to the prince.

That is why the lamp lit in memory of Yamraj is called Yamdeepak.

Samagri (Puja materials):

• Idol or picture of Lakshmi, Ganesh, Kubera and Dhanvantari

• Kumkum, Haldi, Akshat (rice), flowers (yellow marigold or lotus, if possible)

• Diyas, dhoop battis, ghee or sesame oil

• Sweets, fruits, Kheel and Batashe

• A Kalash with water

• Any new purchase like gold, silver, coins or utensils

Steps:

Step 1:- Clean your house in the morning time, particularly the entrance and puja place.

Step 2:- Make rangoli and decorate the toran at the entrance.

Step 3:- Arrange the puja place in the evening on the cleaned cloth. Place all the idols together and put the purchased items in front of you.

Step 4:- Light a diya and take a sankalp in your right hand by holding water and akshat saying your name and motive.

Step 5:- First of all worship Lord Ganesha because he is worshiped before each puja.

Step 6:- Pray to Lord Dhanvantari for the well-being of your family members.

Step 7:- Worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. Give kumkum, haldi, flowers and sweet things and recite mantras of these deities.

Step 8:- Perform the aarti of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari and give prasad.

Step 9:- Light the Yama Deepam (explained in the following section).

Yama Deepam is lit on the evening of Dhanteras to pray for the family’s protection from untimely death.

• When: On the evening of 6 November 2026, in Pradosh Kaal after sunset

• Where: Outside the main door or in the courtyard, away from the house

• Direction: Facing south, the direction associated with Yamraj

• How: Use a clay diya with sesame or mustard oil and a cotton wick. Many families light thirteen diyas for Trayodashi

• Prayer: Pray to Yamraj for the long life and safety of your family

Acquiring something new during Dhanteras is thought to herald prosperity in the future. The Trayodashi Tithi falls between 10:30 AM of November 6 and 10:47 AM of November 7, while evening muhurat is considered the most auspicious hour to make a purchase as well as perform the puja.

Auspicious Purchases

• Gold and silver: gold or silver coins, jewellery or idols of Lakshmi-Ganesh

• Brass, copper and steel utensils: acquisition of a new utensil is an old tradition tied to Dhanvantari’s pot of amrit

• Coins and Lakshmi-Ganesh idols that will be worshiped on Diwali day

• Jhadu: a symbol of negativities removal, to be used for the very first time on Diwali morning

• Dhaniya (coriander seeds): to be offered in the puja, and after that sowed or preserved as a symbol of development

• Automobiles, electronic devices, real estate: many families plan their purchase for Dhanteras day

• Auspicious crystals and Vastu articles: e.g., pyrite, citrine or a money tree, to be kept at home or office

Things Traditionally Avoided

• Iron and black things, in many cases

• Sharp tools like knives and scissors

• Oil and aluminium utensils, in some traditions

• Entering into the puja or the purchase with a negative attitude and a hurried schedule

Dos:

• Clean your home before the festival

• Illuminate your entrance and puja area with diyas

• Worship Lakshmi, Kubera and Dhanvantari

• Donate some food, clothes or money to the needy

• Settle your small pending dues if possible and kick off your festive season without any stress

Don’t:

• Avoid lending money or valuable things on this day

• Keep your home dark after the sun sets

• Get into an argument or use harsh words while worshipping

• Purchasing things under peer pressure which you can’t afford. Wealth increases with wise decisions

• Dhanteras: 6 November, 2026

• Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali): The day after Dhanteras

• Diwali (Lakshmi Puja): Sunday, 8 November, 2026

• Govardhan Puja

• Bhai Dooj

Dhanteras give the start to the festival, but the major Lakshmi Puja is done on Diwali, on the Amavasya, which falls two days after Dhanteras.

Dhanteras is the message that tells us that money isn’t just about having lots of gold and silver but also having the wealth of good health and happiness and gratitude. Make plans for Friday, November 6, 2026. Don’t forget the puja muhurat, light the lamp named 'Yama Deepak' and call Goddess Lakshmi in your clean home.

Shubh Dhanteras to everyone.

When does Dhanteras occur in 2026?

What is the Dhanteras puja muhurat in 2026?

When does Trayodashi tithi occur on Dhanteras 2026?

When does Diwali occur in 2026?

What items should we purchase on Dhanteras?