Dhanteras 2026 guide: Muhurat, rituals & things to buy

Key takeaways:

Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November 2026, with the Trayodashi Tithi beginning at 10:30 AM.
The New Delhi puja muhurat is from 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM. Yam Deepdaan is traditionally performed after sunset.
Gold, silver, metal utensils, Lakshmi-Ganesh idols, diyas and other traditional items are popular choices.
Clean and decorate the home, perform Lakshmi-Ganesh puja, offer prayers to Lord Kuber and Lord Dhanvantari, and light a diya for Yam Deepdaan.
Check gold and silver purity, compare prices, retain purchase invoices and avoid overspending. Traditions around items to avoid vary by household and region.

Many families worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kuber and Lord Dhanvantari. Buying gold, silver, utensils and other auspicious items is a longstanding tradition believed to invite prosperity into the home.

The evening puja is generally performed during Pradosh Kaal, while Yam Deepdaan is observed after sunset. In this article, we discuss the Dhanteras 2026 date and puja muhurat, important rituals, auspicious items to buy, things traditionally avoided and what to do after bringing purchases home.

Dhanteras 2026 date and puja muhurat

Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November 2026, on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi. According to Drik Panchang, the Trayodashi Tithi begins at 10:30 AM on 6 November and ends at 10:47 AM on 7 November.

Date: Friday, 6 November 2026
Trayodashi Tithi: 10:30 AM on 6 November to 10:47 AM on 7 November
New Delhi puja muhurat: 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM
Yam Deepdaan: After sunset

Why is Dhanteras celebrated?

Dhanteras is associated with welcoming wealth and prosperity. According to Hindu tradition, Lord Dhanvantari emerged during the Samudra Manthan carrying a pot of amrit. He is associated with health and Ayurveda, and this story is linked to buying metal utensils.

Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for wealth and prosperity, while Lord Kuber is honoured as the guardian of wealth. Yam Deepdaan is another tradition associated with prayers for protection from untimely death.

What are the main Dhanteras rituals?

Families observe Dhanteras through cleaning, decorations, prayers and lighting lamps. Customs vary by region.

Cleaning and decoration: Clean the house and decorate the entrance with rangoli and diyas.
Lakshmi-Ganesh puja: Offer flowers, incense, roli, akshat and sweets.
Kuber and Dhanvantari worship: Offer prayers for prosperity and good health.
Mantra chanting: Recite Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah and traditional Kuber mantras.
Worshipping new purchases: Clean newly purchased metals, coins or utensils and offer a prayer before using them.

What to buy on Dhanteras 2026?

Traditional purchases range from precious metals to everyday household items.

Gold and silver: Jewellery, coins or bars associated with wealth.
Metal utensils: Brass, copper and steel vessels for household use.
Lakshmi-Ganesh idols: For Diwali worship.
Kuber idols or kalash: Traditional symbols of wealth and prosperity.
Broom (jhadu): Associated with sweeping away negativity in some traditions.
Dhania seeds: Coriander seeds symbolising growth and abundance.
Gomti chakra and cowrie shells: Auspicious tokens kept in some households.
Diyas and puja essentials: Lamps, puja thalis and other worship items.

Gold, silver or utensils: What should you choose?

Gold is a traditional choice for jewellery and coins. Compare prices, making charges, purity and seller documentation before buying.

Silver offers another precious-metal option through coins, bowls and small articles. Check whether an item is solid silver or silver-plated.

Utensils combine traditional significance with everyday use. Brass, copper and steel vessels are popular choices.

Choose according to your budget rather than spending more than you can afford. Read this.

How to perform Lakshmi, Ganesh, Kuber and Dhanvantari puja?

For the traditional evening puja, prepare a clean space and arrange the necessary items in advance.

Clean the puja area and place a clean cloth on the altar.
Arrange the idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kuber and Lord Dhanvantari according to your household tradition.
Offer flowers, roli, akshat, incense, sweets and water.
Light diyas and recite the relevant prayers or mantras.
Offer prayers for prosperity, wisdom and good health.

The precise sequence and the deities worshipped may vary by family and region. Follow your customary puja vidhi or local religious guidance.

What is Yam Deepdaan on Dhanteras?

Yam Deepdaan involves lighting a lamp in honour of Lord Yama. In some traditions, a four-wick lamp made from flour or clay is filled with mustard oil and placed outside the main entrance, facing south.

The ritual is associated with prayers for protection from untimely death. It is generally performed after sunset, although customs vary among households.

What should you avoid buying on Dhanteras?

Some families traditionally avoid certain purchases, although these customs are not universal.

Sharp objects: Knives and scissors may be avoided.
Iron items: Some traditions favour other metals.
Black-coloured items: Certain households avoid these purchases.
Glass and ceramic goods: Sometimes avoided because they break easily.
Aluminium and plastic: Some families prefer brass, copper or steel.
Unaffordable purchases: Avoid taking on debt for items beyond your budget.

These are traditional beliefs rather than universal religious requirements. There is no need to overspend to observe the festival.

What to do after buying items on Dhanteras

Clean or wipe the new purchase and place coins or idols in the puja area. Where appropriate, apply a tilak, offer a flower and light a diya before using or storing the item. Utensils can be moved to the kitchen after the ritual.

For precious-metal purchases, retain the invoice and purity details. Keep receipts and warranty information for household goods.

Conclusion

Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November, offering an occasion to pray for prosperity, health and well-being. From Lakshmi puja and Yam Deepdaan to buying gold, silver, utensils or simple auspicious items, families can celebrate according to their traditions and budgets.

Check the local puja muhurat before the festival, prepare the essentials in advance and choose purchases thoughtfully. The occasion does not require extravagant spending; a meaningful ritual and a purchase within your means are sufficient to mark the day.