Dhanteras Par Kitne Diye Jalaye — How Many Diyas to Light and Where, Dhanteras 2026

Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026. The lamps are lit in the Pradosh Kaal, 5:33 to 8:09 pm (New Delhi) — the Yam Deepak at dusk, and the house lamps with or after the Lakshmi-Kuber puja, whose muhurat is 6:02 to 7:57 pm. Times differ by a few minutes in other cities. For the puja itself see Dhanteras 2026: muhurat and vidhi.

Dhanteras is Trayodashi, the thirteenth day, and the most widespread custom is to light 13 diyas on its evening. Some families light just the one Yam Deepak and a lamp at the door; others light 13 at the door alone. There is no fixed rule — the number matters less than that the house, and especially its entrance, is lit. On Roop Chaudas and Diwali the number of lamps grows.

A common arrangement:

1. Yam Deepak — outside the main door, facing south (see below).
2. Two at the main entrance, one on each side.
3. One before Lakshmi, Ganesha and Kuber in the puja place.
4. One at the tulsi.
5. One in the kitchen, near the stove.
6. One near the water — the tap, well or water pot.
7. One where the family keeps its money or jewellery.
8. One on the roof or balcony.
9. One in the courtyard or at the back door.
10. One at a crossroads or a nearby temple, where it is the custom.
11. One near a peepal tree, if there is one close by.
12. The rest at the windows and corners so that no part of the house stays dark.

The Yam Deepdaan is the special lamp of Dhanteras. A lamp of flour or clay with four wicks is filled with mustard oil, lit at dusk and placed outside the main door, on the right as you go out, facing south — the direction of Yama. It is offered for the protection of the family from untimely death and is often lit by the eldest member of the house. Once placed, it is not brought back in, and the family does not look back at it after setting it down.

The lamps continue on Roop Chaudas (Narak Chaturdashi), then on Diwali, Sunday 8 November, the brightest night. For a Maa Lakshmi Puja performed in your name by our pandits in Ujjain — video sent afterwards — book before Diwali. See also what to do and not do on Dhanteras.