Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festivities and is considered an auspicious occasion for welcoming wealth, prosperity and good health. Ahead of the festival, households traditionally clean and decorate their homes, purchase new items and prepare special sweets and festive dishes.
One of the key rituals observed on this day is the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera, who are associated with wealth and prosperity. Devotees also observe the occasion by purchasing gold, silver and other metal articles, believing that doing so brings good fortune.
With different dates being discussed for Dhanteras this year, many people are seeking clarity on when the festival will be celebrated in 2026.
Dhanteras 2026: November 5, 6 or 7?
Dhanteras will be observed on Friday, November 6, 2026. The festival falls on the Trayodashi Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. The date is determined by the prevailing lunar calendar and the timing of the Trayodashi Tithi.
The celebrations will continue with Choti Diwali on November 7 and the main Diwali festival on November 8. Govardhan Puja will be observed on November 10, followed by Bhai Dooj on November 11.
Dhanteras Significance
The word ‘Dhanteras’ combines two terms: ‘Dhan’, meaning wealth, and ‘Teras’, referring to the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight. The festival is observed on the thirteenth day of Kartik Krishna Paksha, when devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera and seek blessings for financial stability and prosperity.
In several parts of the country, the occasion is also celebrated as Dhanvantari Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanvantari, who is associated with Ayurveda and traditional medicine.
Dhanteras is observed two days before Diwali and is regarded as an important occasion for worship, charity and new purchases. Lakshmi-Kubera Puja is generally performed during the Pradosh Kaal, the period following sunset. Devotees believe that offering prayers during this time brings prosperity and well-being to their households.
Dhanteras 2026: Shubh Muhurat and Puja Timings
According to Drik Panchang, the main Lakshmi-Kubera Puja muhurat on November 6 will be from 6:02 pm to 7:57 pm. The duration of the auspicious window will be approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes.
The important timings for Dhanteras 2026 are:
- Pradosh Kaal: 5:33 pm to 8:09 pm
- Vrishabha Kaal: 6:02 pm to 7:57 pm
- Trayodashi Tithi Begins: 10:30 am on November 6, 2026
- Trayodashi Tithi Ends: 10:47 am on November 7, 2026
Dhanteras 2026: City-Wise Shubh Muhurat
The evening Lakshmi-Kubera Puja timings vary from city to city depending on local sunrise and sunset calculations. The following are the listed puja timings for November 6:
| City | Evening Puja Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 6:02 pm to 7:57 pm |
| Noida | 6:02 pm to 7:57 pm |
| Gurugram | 6:03 pm to 7:59 pm |
| Chandigarh | 6:00 pm to 7:54 pm |
| Jaipur | 6:11 pm to 8:07 pm |
| Lucknow | 5:50 pm to 7:47 pm |
| Kanpur | 5:53 pm to 7:50 pm |
| Varanasi | 5:44 pm to 7:42 pm |
| Ahmedabad | 6:30 pm to 8:28 pm |
| Mumbai | 6:35 pm to 8:35 pm |
| Pune | 6:32 pm to 8:31 pm |
| Nagpur | 6:07 pm to 8:06 pm |
| Bhopal | 6:10 pm to 8:08 pm |
| Indore | 6:17 pm to 8:16 pm |
| Kolkata | 5:28 pm to 7:26 pm |
| Patna | 5:36 pm to 7:33 pm |
| Guwahati | 5:08 pm to 7:05 pm |
| Hyderabad | 6:15 pm to 8:14 pm |
| Chennai | 6:14 pm to 8:09 pm |
| Bengaluru | 6:25 pm to 8:20 pm |
Dhanteras 2026: Dos to Follow
1. Buy gold, silver or other metal articles: Purchasing precious metals and utensils is a long-standing Dhanteras tradition. Devotees often choose gold, silver, copper or other metal items during the auspicious period.
2. Light diyas: Place traditional lamps at the entrance, near the puja area and around the house to mark the occasion and symbolically welcome prosperity.
3. Offer prayers and chant mantras: Perform the Lakshmi-Kubera Puja with devotion and recite prayers seeking blessings for health, wealth and happiness.
4. Donate to those in need: Sharing food, grains, money or essential supplies with underprivileged people is considered a meaningful way to observe the festival.
5. Clean and decorate the puja area: Ensure that the prayer space is clean and organised before beginning the rituals. Many households also decorate entrances with rangoli and flowers.
6. Perform rituals with devotion: Maintain a calm and positive atmosphere during the puja and follow the customary family traditions.
Dhanteras 2026: Don’ts to Avoid
1. Avoid making purchases without considering tradition: Gold, silver and metal utensils are traditionally preferred for Dhanteras. Some customs discourage purchasing plastic articles and certain household goods on this day. However, these beliefs vary across regions and families.
2. Do not leave the house without lighting diyas: Lighting lamps is an important part of the celebrations. Devotees traditionally place diyas at entrances and other designated areas to mark the festival.
3. Do not overlook acts of charity: The occasion is also associated with generosity and sharing. Donating food, grains or essential items is encouraged as part of the festivities.
4. Avoid performing rituals in a hurry: Set aside sufficient time for the puja and carry out the ceremonies in a peaceful and focused manner.
Dhanteras combines religious observances with traditions of shopping, charity and family celebrations. While the rituals and customs may differ across communities, the festival is widely associated with welcoming prosperity, health and happiness ahead of Diwali.