Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November. It is the first of the five days of Diwali, and the day most families buy something new, from a silver coin to a silk saree, for the year ahead. The name comes from dhan (wealth) and teras (the thirteenth day of the dark half of Kartik), and the day honours Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health.
Quick answers:
- Date: Friday, 6 November 2026 (Trayodashi tithi, Kartik Krishna Paksha).
- When to do puja: in the evening, during Pradosh Kaal after sunset. Exact times change by city, so check your local panchang.
- What people buy: gold or silver (coins, jewellery), brass or steel utensils, a broom, and new clothes, especially a silk saree.
- What to wear: warm gold, yellow, mustard or red. A light silk or Chanderi saree, or a festive kurta set, is easy for shopping and puja.
- What comes next: Kali Chaudas on Saturday 7 November, then Diwali on Sunday 8 November.
This guide from our team at Vastra Heritage in Kathodara, Surat covers everything in one place: the meaning of the day, a buying list for every budget, how to check gold, silver and silk before you pay, a simple puja you can do at home, and outfit ideas for women and girls.
Why Dhanteras is celebrated
Three stories meet on this one evening, and each explains a custom you will see in almost every Indian home.
Lord Dhanvantari and the gift of health
According to the Puranas, when the gods and demons churned the ocean (Samudra Manthan), Lord Dhanvantari rose from the waters holding a pot of amrit, the nectar of immortality. He is the physician of the gods and the father of Ayurveda, so many families pray for good health first and wealth second on Dhanteras.
Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera
Dhanteras is the first welcome of Goddess Lakshmi before the main Lakshmi Puja on Diwali night. Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, is worshipped alongside her so that the wealth that comes in also stays. This is the reason buying metal, especially gold and silver, feels so important on this day: it is a symbol of inviting lasting prosperity into the home.
The lamp for Yama (Yama Deepam)
A well-known story tells of King Hima's son, whose death by snakebite was foretold on the fourth night of his marriage. His wife kept him awake all night, piled her gold and silver ornaments at the door and lit lamps everywhere. When Yama, the god of death, arrived as a serpent, he was dazzled by the glitter and left at dawn. Families still light a lamp facing south for Yama on Dhanteras evening, praying for the long life of everyone at home.
What to buy on Dhanteras 2026, for every budget
You do not need to spend a lot. The custom is about bringing something new and useful into the home with a good intention. Here is a practical list by budget:
| Budget | Traditional choices | Why it is considered lucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under ₹500 | A new broom, a pair of diyas, a steel or brass bowl, whole coriander seeds (dhaniya) | The broom sweeps away poverty; coriander seeds are kept with the puja and later sown for growth |
| ₹500 – ₹5,000 | A silver coin, a small silver item, brass or copper utensils, a cotton or Chanderi saree | Silver stands for purity; metal utensils for a full kitchen through the year |
| ₹5,000 – ₹25,000 | A gold coin, light gold jewellery, a pure silk saree, a silver puja thali | Gold is the classic Dhanteras purchase and holds its value |
| ₹25,000 and above | Gold or diamond jewellery, a handloom Banarasi or Kanjivaram saree, a new vehicle or appliance | Many families plan large purchases for this muhurat each year |
Things many families avoid buying
- Sharp objects such as knives and scissors, which are linked with conflict in folk belief.
- Black clothes or items, because the day is about light and prosperity.
- Glass and aluminium utensils, which are seen as less auspicious than brass, copper, silver or steel.
- Buying on credit, since the idea is to bring wealth in, not to start the year owing money.
These are traditions rather than rules, and practices differ between families and regions, so follow what your elders do.
Buying gold and silver on Dhanteras: 7 checks before you pay
Shops are crowded and prices move fast on Dhanteras. Keep this checklist on your phone:
- Look for the BIS hallmark. Gold jewellery in India must carry the BIS logo, the purity grade (for example 22K916) and a 6-digit HUID code.
- Verify the HUID. Enter the code in the government's BIS Care app to confirm the item's purity and details.
- Know the day's rate. Check the gold and silver rate in your city before leaving home, so you can compare the shop's quote.
- Ask for the making charge separately. Making charges vary widely; the bill should show metal weight, rate, making charge and GST as separate lines.
- Check silver purity. Ask for hallmarked silver where available (silver hallmarking is voluntary, so not every piece has it); 999 is fine silver and 925 is sterling silver.
- Coins from trusted sources. Buy coins from banks, established jewellers or sealed packs with purity certificates.
- Keep the bill. It proves purity and helps when you exchange or sell later.
Buying a silk saree on Dhanteras: how to get a real one
For many women, Dhanteras is the day to buy the saree they will wear for Lakshmi Puja on Diwali, or an heirloom silk for the wedding season that follows. Festival rush is also when imitation silks sell fastest, so take a minute to check:
- Silk Mark label: genuine silk sarees can carry the Silk Mark tag. Ask for it on any saree sold as pure silk.
- The reverse side: handwoven Banarasi and Kanjivaram sarees show floating threads and small irregularities on the back; a perfectly flat reverse suggests powerloom.
- Zari: pure zari has a soft, warm glow; very bright, brassy zari is usually imitation.
- Price sense: a "pure handloom Kanjivaram" at a few thousand rupees is not what it claims.
Our step-by-step pure silk identification guide and the saree price guide help you compare before you buy. If you are near Surat, you can also see handloom weaves in person at our Kathodara showroom.
Simple Dhanteras puja at home, step by step
You can do a meaningful Dhanteras puja in about 30 minutes. Timings vary by city, so take the evening Pradosh Kaal muhurat from your local panchang.
- Clean the home and the entrance in the morning, and draw a rangoli at the door. Many families also draw small footprints of Lakshmi walking into the house.
- Set up a clean platform with a red or yellow cloth and place images or idols of Lakshmi, Ganesha, Kubera and Dhanvantari.
- Place the new purchases (coin, jewellery, utensil or saree) near the deities.
- Light a ghee diya and offer flowers, rice, roli, sweets and whole coriander seeds.
- Chant simple prayers or the Lakshmi and Kubera mantras your family uses, and do aarti.
- Light the Yama Deepam: a four-wick lamp placed outside the home facing south, for the long life of the family.
- Share prasad and keep the new items safely; many families use the new utensil for the first time on Diwali.
What to wear on Dhanteras: outfit ideas for women and girls
Dhanteras is a long day: shopping in crowded markets, cooking, cleaning and an evening puja. The best outfit looks festive but lets you move. Gold, yellow, mustard, red and maroon are the colours most connected with the day.
| Who | Best outfit | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Women going jewellery shopping | A Chanderi silk or soft cotton-silk saree in mustard or gold, pinned neatly | Light and breathable for crowded markets, still festive in photos |
| Women hosting the evening puja | A Banarasi tissue or light silk saree in red, maroon or gold | Glows in diya light and feels special for the first Lakshmi welcome |
| Office-goers | A silk-cotton kurta set or a Maheshwari or Chanderi saree | Smart for work, festive enough for an evening puja |
| Teenage girls | A yellow or peach anarkali, or a light lehenga with gota work | Easy to walk in, bright for family photos |
| Little girls | A silk pattu pavadai or a cotton lehenga in gold or orange | Soft, safe fabrics near diyas and comfortable for children |
Jewellery and styling
Let the day's purchase be the star: wear your new gold earrings or a light necklace with a simple saree. Temple-style gold jewellery, a small bindi and a gajra (flower string) complete a traditional look. If you are buying jewellery that day, wear minimal jewellery to the shop so you can try pieces easily.
Safety near diyas
Keep loose pallus and dupattas pinned while lighting lamps, and prefer natural fabrics such as silk and cotton over synthetics, which can melt if they catch a flame. Our Diwali fashion guide has more festival-safe styling tips.
Dhanteras across India
The day has different names and customs across the country:
- Gujarat: called Dhanteras or Dhan Teras; many business families worship their account books and cash boxes, and the five days that follow run through to Labh Pancham.
- Maharashtra: called Dhanatrayodashi; women make naivedya of jaggery and dhaniya and light the Yama Deepdan in the evening.
- North India: markets stay open late for gold, silver and utensil shopping; it is one of the busiest jewellery days of the year.
- South India: some communities worship Lord Dhanvantari and focus on health and Ayurveda, alongside the Lakshmi rituals.
- Abroad: Indian families in the US, UK, Canada and the Gulf often buy gold or a small silver item and do the evening puja on the nearest convenient day.
Plan the five days ahead
Dhanteras starts a busy fortnight. A little planning now saves last-minute rushing:
- Buy or collect your Diwali outfit today, so any fall-pico or blouse alteration is ready by Sunday.
- Air your silk sarees and check zari and blouses; our silk saree care guide explains how to refresh stored silks.
- Keep one comfortable outfit for Kali Chaudas cleaning and cooking, one grand outfit for Lakshmi Puja, and one bright outfit for the New Year and Bhai Dooj visits.
- Note the dates below so family visits do not clash.
Diwali season 2026 calendar
| Fri, 6 Nov | Dhanteras (you are here) |
| Sat, 7 Nov (night) | Kali Chaudas / Narak Chaturdashi |
| Sun, 8 Nov | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) |
| Tue, 10 Nov | Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) |
| Wed, 11 Nov | Bhai Dooj / Bhai Beej |
| Sat, 14 Nov | Labh Pancham |
| Fri 13 – Mon 16 Nov | Chhath Puja |
| Fri, 20 Nov | Dev Uthi Agiyaras / Tulsi Vivah |
| Tue, 24 Nov | Dev Diwali (Kartik Purnima) |
Dates are for India; check your local panchang, as some festivals shift by a day in other cities and abroad.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dhanteras in 2026?
Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, 6 November, the Trayodashi tithi of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik. It is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival.
What is the best time for Dhanteras puja?
The puja is done in the evening during Pradosh Kaal, after sunset. Exact muhurat times change from city to city, so check your local panchang for the timing in your area.
What should we buy on Dhanteras?
Traditional purchases are gold or silver (coins or jewellery), brass, copper or steel utensils, a new broom, whole coriander seeds and new clothes such as a silk saree. Buy what is useful and within your budget; the intention matters more than the price.
What should not be bought on Dhanteras?
Many families avoid sharp objects like knives and scissors, black items, glass and aluminium utensils, and buying on credit. These are folk traditions, so follow your family's practice.
Is buying silver on Dhanteras as lucky as gold?
Yes. Silver is linked with purity and the moon, and a silver coin or small silver item is a very popular and affordable Dhanteras purchase.
How do I check gold purity on Dhanteras?
Look for the BIS hallmark with the purity grade and a 6-digit HUID code, and verify the HUID in the BIS Care app. Ask for a bill that shows weight, rate, making charges and GST separately.
What colour should I wear on Dhanteras?
Gold, yellow, mustard, red and maroon are the most popular colours because they are linked with prosperity and Goddess Lakshmi. Avoid black on this day.
Can I buy a saree on Dhanteras?
Yes. New clothes are a common Dhanteras purchase, and many women buy the silk saree they will wear for Diwali Lakshmi Puja. Ask for the Silk Mark tag and check the weave before paying.
Why is a lamp lit for Yama on Dhanteras?
The Yama Deepam is a lamp placed outside the home facing south on Dhanteras evening. It comes from the story of King Hima's son and is lit as a prayer for the long life of the family.
Why is Dhanteras linked with Lord Dhanvantari?
Lord Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods and father of Ayurveda, is said to have emerged from the churning of the ocean on this day, holding a pot of amrit. That is why many families pray for good health as well as wealth on Dhanteras.
What comes after Dhanteras?
In 2026, Kali Chaudas or Narak Chaturdashi follows on 7 November (night) and 8 November (morning bath), Diwali Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday 8 November, the Gujarati New Year on 10 November and Bhai Dooj on 11 November.