Dhanteras 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, November 6, marking the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival. Also known as Dhantrayodashi, it falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. The festival is associated with prosperity, health, wealth and financial stability, and devotees observe traditional prayers and rituals on this occasion. The day brings together fasting, evening puja, the worship of four deities and the tradition of buying auspicious items. For families across India, Dhanteras is a day of preparation and prayer, setting the tone for the Diwali celebrations that follow.
Dhanteras 2026 Date and Significance
The primary Puja Muhurat across India is expected to fall between 6:02 PM and 7:57 PM, although the exact timing varies by city. Dhanteras puja is traditionally performed during Pradosh Kaal, the evening period after sunset, when a favourable fixed zodiac period known as Sthir Lagna is present. Vrishabha Kaal is considered an important period for performing the evening rituals. This timing matters because the rituals are believed to bring the most benefit when performed during these specific windows.
Dhanteras 2026 Puja Timings and Tithi
The main timings for Dhanteras 2026 are as follows:
| Event | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Friday, November 6, 2026 |
| Trayodashi Tithi Begins | November 6, 2026, at 10:30 AM |
| Trayodashi Tithi Ends | November 7, 2026, at 10:47 AM |
| Pradosh Kaal | 5:33 PM to 8:09 PM |
| Vrishabha Kaal | 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM |
The timing of the evening puja differs across cities. The following windows are listed for November 6, 2026.
| City | Puja Muhurat | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM | 1 hour 55 minutes |
| Mumbai | 6:29 PM to 8:29 PM | 2 hours |
| Kolkata | 5:27 PM to 7:22 PM | 1 hour 55 minutes |
| Bengaluru | 6:17 PM to 8:15 PM | 1 hour 58 minutes |
| Ahmedabad | 6:30 PM to 8:28 PM | 1 hour 58 minutes |
Devotees should check their local timings to plan their puja accordingly, as the muhurat shifts slightly from city to city based on sunset and lunar positions.
Dhanteras Vrat 2026: Fasting Rules
November 6, 2026, also coincides with Pradosh day, bringing Dhanteras rituals together with Pradosh Vrat. Devotees may observe a partial or complete fast from sunrise until the evening puja. Some choose a waterless fast, known as Nirjala, while others follow Phalahar by consuming fruits and milk. The fast is traditionally broken after completing the evening Pradosh Kaal Shiva puja and the Dhanteras Lakshmi and Dhanvantari rituals. Grain-based food is avoided before sunset or before the evening prayers. Those observing the fast should take care of their health and choose the type of vrat that suits their physical condition.
Four Main Deities Worshipped on Dhanteras
Dhanteras worship includes four deities associated with health, wealth and protection. Each deity has a specific role in the rituals, and together they represent the different aspects of prosperity that the festival celebrates.
Lord Dhanvantari
Lord Dhanvantari is revered as the god of health and Ayurveda. According to tradition, he emerged from the cosmic ocean during Samudra Manthan, holding the nectar of immortality. Devotees offer prayers to him for physical well-being. His worship on Dhanteras reflects the belief that good health is the foundation of all prosperity.
Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera
Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera are worshipped together as symbols of wealth and financial stability. Their worship forms an important part of the festival’s prayers for prosperity. While Goddess Lakshmi represents abundance and fortune, Lord Kubera is regarded as the treasurer of the gods, and together they are believed to bring financial security to the household.
Lord Yama
Lord Yama, the god of death, is honoured through a ritual called Yama Deepam. Families light a special four-faced flour diya outside their homes, facing south. This custom is observed to seek protection for family members against untimely or sudden death. The Yama Deepam ritual is a reminder of the festival’s deeper spiritual meaning, which includes prayers for safety and long life alongside wealth and prosperity.
What Should You Buy on Dhanteras 2026?
Buying certain items on Dhanteras is considered auspicious because the word Dhan means wealth. The tradition associates purchases made on this day with prosperity and expanding good fortune. Items traditionally considered auspicious include:
- Gold and silver: These metals are associated with wealth and prosperity
- Brass utensils: Purchasing brass utensils is considered a favourable custom
- Broom (Jhadu): A broom symbolises sweeping away poverty and negative energy from the household
- Coriander seeds (Dhana): These seeds are offered to Goddess Lakshmi during puja and later sown in garden pots to symbolise growing abundance
The traditional buying guidance also advises avoiding purchases of iron, steel and aluminium on this day, as these materials are not considered auspicious for Dhanteras shopping.
Conclusion
Dhanteras 2026 will be observed on Friday, November 6, and marks the start of the five-day Diwali festival. The occasion brings together prayers for health, wealth and prosperity, along with fasting, evening puja and traditional purchases. Devotees can follow the relevant city-wise muhurat timings to plan their rituals and observe the festival according to their customs. Whether it is the worship of Lord Dhanvantari for health, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera for wealth, or Lord Yama for protection, each ritual carries its own meaning and adds to the spiritual significance of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When is Dhanteras 2026 being celebrated?
A1. Dhanteras 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, November 6, marking the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival. It falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik.
Q2. What is the main Dhanteras 2026 puja muhurat?
A2. The primary Puja Muhurat across India is expected to fall between 6:02 PM and 7:57 PM, although the exact timing varies by city. The puja is traditionally performed during Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha Kaal.
Q3. What are the city-wise puja timings for Dhanteras 2026?
A3. The puja muhurat is 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM in New Delhi, 6:29 PM to 8:29 PM in Mumbai, 5:27 PM to 7:22 PM in Kolkata, 6:17 PM to 8:15 PM in Bengaluru and 6:30 PM to 8:28 PM in Ahmedabad on November 6, 2026.
Q4. Which deities are worshipped on Dhanteras?
A4. Four deities are worshipped on Dhanteras: Lord Dhanvantari for health and Ayurveda, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera for wealth and financial stability, and Lord Yama for protection through the Yama Deepam ritual.
Q5. What items are considered auspicious to buy on Dhanteras 2026?
A5. Gold, silver, brass utensils, a broom and coriander seeds are considered auspicious to buy on Dhanteras. The tradition also advises avoiding purchases of iron, steel and aluminium on this day.