Dhanteras 2026 — the day in one line
Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November 2026. The Trayodashi tithi begins at 10:30 am that day, the puja muhurat is 6:02 to 7:57 pm and the Pradosh Kaal runs from 5:33 to 8:09 pm (New Delhi times; your city may differ by a few minutes). Everything below is arranged around that evening. For the full muhurat and the story of the day, see Dhanteras 2026: date, muhurat and puja vidhi.
Morning — prepare the house
- Finish the cleaning. Diwali cleaning traditionally ends by Dhanteras: the house, the kitchen and especially the main entrance, where Lakshmi is believed to enter.
- Throw out what is broken. Cracked vessels, stopped clocks and torn clothes are cleared before the festival begins.
- Decorate the door. A toran of mango leaves or marigold, and a rangoli at the threshold — small footprints of Lakshmi facing inward are a common touch.
- Bathe and wear clean, preferably new or light-coloured clothes before the puja preparations.
Daytime — the one new thing
The heart of Dhanteras is buying something new for the home. Shopping is done once the Trayodashi has begun — from 10:30 am on 6 November in 2026. Gold, silver, a brass or copper vessel, a broom, whole coriander seeds and a Lakshmi-Ganesha idol for Diwali are the traditional choices; the value is not what matters. Whatever you buy is brought home before dusk and placed in the puja. See what to buy (and not buy) on Dhanteras.
Evening — the Dhanteras puja
- In the Pradosh Kaal, set up a red cloth with images of Lakshmi, Ganesha and Kuber, and a kalash of water.
- Offer roli, akshat, flowers, incense and a ghee lamp; offer a sweet of milk or khoa.
- Remember Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, and pray for the family’s health — Dhanteras is also Dhanvantari Jayanti.
- Chant Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah and the Kuber mantra Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Namah.
- Place the new purchase — the vessel, the coin, the broom — in front of the deities and worship it before it is used.
Dusk — the Yam Deepdaan
At dusk a four-wicked lamp of flour or clay, filled with mustard oil, is lit and placed outside the main door, facing south, the direction of Yama. It is offered for the protection of the family from untimely death. After the puja, light lamps at the door, in the kitchen, near the water source and at the tulsi — see how many diyas to light on Dhanteras and where.
What families avoid on Dhanteras
These are customs, kept by many households and not by all:
- Not lending money or giving things on credit on the day — the belief is that wealth should come into the house on Dhanteras, not go out.
- Not leaving the house dark after sunset; at least the entrance stays lit through the night.
- Not buying iron, glass, sharp objects or black items as the Dhanteras purchase.
- Not bringing home an empty vessel — fill a new pot with water, rice or sweets before it enters the house.
- Avoiding quarrels and harsh words, and not sleeping through the evening puja time.
- Not throwing out the old broom on Dhanteras itself — it is replaced, not discarded, that day.
A puja in your name in Ujjain
If you cannot do the full puja at home — or want it done in addition — our pandits in Ujjain perform the Maa Lakshmi Puja with the sankalp in your name and gotra, and the video is sent to you afterwards. Diwali itself is on Sunday, 8 November.