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Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November, two days before Diwali Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, 8 November. It opens the five-day festival, and it is the one day of the year when buying a steel bowl counts as a religious act. Here is when to buy, what to buy, what families usually skip, and how not to get fooled at the jewellery counter.
Dhanteras 2026 date and timings
Trayodashi tithi, the date on which Dhanteras is observed, begins at 10:30 am on 6 November and ends at 10:47 am on 7 November. The timings below are for New Delhi and come from Drik Panchang. Your city may differ by a few minutes, so check a local panchang before you leave home.
| What | Time (New Delhi) |
|---|---|
| Overall window to buy gold | 10:30 am, 6 Nov to 6:37 am, 7 Nov |
| Morning muhurat | 10:30 am to 10:43 am |
| Afternoon muhurat (Shubha) | 12:05 pm to 1:27 pm |
| Afternoon muhurat (Chara) | 4:11 pm to 5:33 pm |
| Night muhurat (Labha) | 8:49 pm to 10:27 pm |
| Saturday morning (7 Nov) | 7:59 am to 9:21 am |
The evening puja is done during Pradosh Kaal, which in Delhi runs roughly from 5:33 pm to 8:09 pm on 6 November. For the full festival calendar, including Lakshmi Puja and Bhai Dooj timings, see our Diwali 2026 date guide.
Why Dhanteras is celebrated
Dhanteras falls on the Trayodashi of Krishna Paksha in Kartik month. It is also Dhanvantari Jayanti, marking the birth of Lord Dhanvantari, the deity associated with Ayurveda. That is why some families pray for health on this day, not just wealth.
In the evening, many homes light a Yama Deepam, a diya placed facing south during Pradosh Kaal and kept burning through the night.
A simple Dhanteras evening plan
Most households keep the evening fairly simple. If you are doing it for the first time in a new home, or your parents are not around to supervise, this order works:
- Clean up by afternoon. Dhanteras kicks off the Diwali cleaning finale, and the entrance gets the most attention.
- Make a small rangoli at the door and keep diyas ready before sunset.
- Do the puja in Pradosh Kaal. Families worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber, and many also offer prayers to Lord Dhanvantari.
- Place the day’s purchase near the puja. Whether it is a coin, a utensil or a broom, it usually gets a spot on the thali before it goes into use.
- Light the Yama Deepam facing south and leave it burning overnight.
None of this needs a big budget. The point of the day is to start the festival week with something new for the home, not to max out a credit card before Diwali even begins.
What to buy on Dhanteras
You do not need a gold necklace to keep the tradition. Most families buy something small and useful. The usual list:
- Gold or silver: even a small coin works. A silver Lakshmi-Ganesh coin is the budget-friendly favourite.
- Utensils: brass, copper or stainless steel. Think a brass puja thali or a copper bottle you will actually use.
- A new broom: common in many North Indian homes, as it is linked with sweeping out the old.
- Diyas: clay or brass diyas for the five days ahead.
- Bigger purchases: many people also time phone, appliance and vehicle purchases for this day.
Still short on gifts for the family? Our list of Diwali gift ideas under Rs 1,000 has options that will not end up in the cupboard.
What families usually avoid
Traditionally, people skip knives, scissors and other sharp or iron items, glass, and black-coloured things on Dhanteras. Some regions also avoid buying oil and aluminium. These are customs, not rules, and they vary by family. If your nani has a list, follow your nani.
Buying gold? Check the HUID first
Since 1 April 2023, hallmarked gold jewellery in India cannot be sold without a six-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) code, as per government consumer guidance. Every piece should carry the BIS logo, the purity grade (for example, 22K916) and the HUID.
You can check the code yourself in the BIS Care app using the “Verify HUID” option. It shows the purity, the jeweller’s registration number, the hallmarking centre, the date of hallmarking and the type of article. Takes a minute, and saves a lot of regret later.
- Ask for a proper bill with weight, purity and making charges listed separately.
- Compare making charges across two shops, as these vary more than the gold rate.
- Gold prices move daily, so check the day’s rate before you walk in.
The rest of Diwali week
After Dhanteras on Friday comes Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, 8 November, and Bhai Dooj on Wednesday, 11 November. Plan the shopping early, because the jewellery shop queue on Friday evening will be longer than any movie ticket line this week.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dhanteras in 2026?
Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026. Trayodashi tithi begins at 10:30 am that day and ends at 10:47 am on 7 November.
What is the best time to buy gold on Dhanteras 2026?
For New Delhi, Drik Panchang lists an overall window from 10:30 am on 6 November to 6:37 am on 7 November, with shorter muhurats such as 12:05 pm to 1:27 pm and 8:49 pm to 10:27 pm.
What should not be bought on Dhanteras?
Traditionally, people avoid knives, scissors and other sharp or iron items, glass and black-coloured items. Some regions also avoid oil and aluminium.
How do I check if gold jewellery is genuine?
Look for the BIS logo, purity grade and six-digit HUID on the piece, then enter the HUID in the BIS Care app’s Verify HUID option.
