Dhanteras 2026 is going to be celebrated on Friday, November 6. From this day onwards, it is a five-day Diwali festival. It is observed on the thirteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight in Kartik. This blog covers the date, stories, rituals, and what you should buy on this auspicious day.
When is Dhanteras 2026?
When is Dhanteras 2026?
You may also hear Dhanteras referred to as Dhantrayodashi. The word “Dhan” means wealth, and “Trayodashi” means the thirteenth lunar day, also known as a tithi. Following Dhanteras, the next day is Naraka Chaturdashi, also known as Chhoti Diwali. It is on Saturday, November 7. The next day, Lakshmi puja will be observed on Sunday, November 8.
A tithi does not line up with the calendar day. Trayodashi begins on the morning of November 6 and ends on the morning of November 7. Since the puja is held after sunset, Dhanteras 2026 is observed on November 6.
| Detail | Timing |
|---|---|
| Dhanteras 2026 Date | Friday, November 6, 2026 |
| Trayodashi Tithi Begins | 10:30 AM, November 6, 2026 |
| Trayodashi Tithi Ends | 10:47 AM, November 7, 2026 |
| Dhanteras Puja Muhurat | 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM |
| Yamadeepdaan | 5:33 PM to 6:51 PM |
What is the Significance of Dhanteras?
What is the Significance of Dhanteras?
Dhanteras comes with health, wealth, and protection. The beliefs below are religious traditions, not historical records.
Lord Dhanvantari
He is regarded as the source of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, and the physician of the gods. People know this day as Lord Dhanvantari Jayanti.
Goddess Lakshmi
On this day, families make their home clean and light lamps to welcome Maa Lakshmi. Worshipping her brings wealth, health, and prosperity.
Lord Kubera
He is the king of the Yakshas and the treasurer of the gods. People worship him alongside Lakshmi on this day.
New Purchases
Buying something new, such as gold, silver, or a utensil, symbolizes welcoming good fortune. It is a ritual or a custom followed by generations, not a requirement.
Together, the Dhanteras significance lies in starting Diwali with gratitude for health and livelihood.
The Story of Lord Dhanvantari and Samudra Manthan
The Story of Lord Dhanvantari and Samudra Manthan
The Dhanteras history is closely associated with Samudra Manthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean by gods and asuras. According to tradition, Lord Dhanvantari rose from the ocean with a pot of amrita in his hands while the gods and asuras were churning it. Legends tell that there was a fight between the Gods and demons to establish supremacy over the universe. Lord Vishnu suggested churning the ocean. The winner of this fight would be the superior. So, the Gods and demons used the serpent Vasuki to churn the ocean. At the time of churning, many valuable things emerged from the ocean, and on the thirteenth day of Kartik Paksha, Dhanvantari appeared with the pot of amrit.
The Dhanteras Story of King Hima and His Son
The Dhanteras Story of King Hima and His Son
According to Dhanteras history, a wise king named Hima ruled. He was known for the affection he felt for his son, who at the time was sixteen years old. One day, an astrologer said his son would die because of a snakebite on the fourth day after the marriage. The news upset the king, and he tried one way after another to keep his son alive. After discussing this with an intelligent astrologer, he came to a conclusion. A girl with a favourable horoscope can prevent his son from an untimely death.
After the marriage, on the fourth day, the bride placed a variety of bright lamps all around the house and took all the gold and silver coins and decorated the room. She began singing songs for her husband to ensure he would not sleep. That day, death, personified as a snake, tried to take Hima’s son’s life. But there was a fantastic lamp and gold that left him spellbound. Thus he failed to kill his son, and the young man survived. This is the reason that, in most parts of India, the festival of Dhanteras is also called Yamadeepam.
The Story of Goddess Lakshmi and the Farmer
The Story of Goddess Lakshmi and the Farmer
As per the Dhanteras story, Goddess Lakshmi persuaded Lord Vishnu to take her with him on Earth. Though Lord Vishnu agreed, he did not allow her to go towards the south. However, once on Earth, Goddess Lakshmi was fascinated by the beauty of the mustard flowers and sugarcanes in the southern lands. Goddess Lakshmi broke her promise and decided to go south and pick the flowers for herself and drink sugarcane juice. Because of that, Lord Vishnu cursed her to be on earth for 12 years, serving the farmer of the field she had gone to.
After twelve years, when Lord Vishnu arrived to bring her back, the farmer firmly resisted. This made Goddess Lakshmi reveal her real identity. Later on, Goddess Lakshmi swore to visit the farmer once a year on the night of Dhanteras.
Dhanteras Ritual and Puja Vidhi
Dhanteras Ritual and Puja Vidhi
- Dhanteras significance goes beyond belief and includes how the puja is performed, from the rituals to the steps. Make sure that the puja area is cleaned properly and decorate it with rangoli, flowers, and mango leaves. Put either a red or yellow cloth on the altar and keep the Goddess Lakshmi murti and a Dhanvantari or Lord Vishnu statue.
- Keep all puja materials in place, including incense sticks, diyas, flowers, fruits, sweets, coins, rice, kumkum, turmeric, and holy water. If you bought any new gold, keep that gold, silver, or any other essential in the puja area.
- After you light up the diyas and incense sticks, start the puja by praying to the deity, Lord Ganesha, followed by Dhanvantari and Lakshmi.
- When you are performing puja, offer flowers, kumkum, and turmeric paste to the Gods and sing Dhanteras aarti or Lakshmi aarti. Ring the bell and offer flowers while praying to the gods for good fortune.
- Light the Yamadeepdaan lamp. Place diyas outside the main gate, pointed in the south direction. The puja is performed to prevent death before time and to protect any path or valley ground.
What Should You Buy on Dhanteras 2026?
What Should You Buy on Dhanteras 2026?
There is a tradition of bringing something new on this day. The most common choices are gold and silver, including coins. Brass, copper, and steel utensils are also popular. Many North Indian homes also buy a new broom on this day. What you buy depends on your beliefs, needs, and budget. Devotional idols are another option for people who want to add to a home shrine.
Kubera Idol
Kubera is usually shown seated and richly adorned, often with jewels and a spitting mongoose. If you are looking for a Kubera figurine for Dhanteras to add to your devotional collection, Cottage9’s Gold Plated Kubera Figurine is worth considering.
Lakshmi Idol
Goddess Lakshmi murti is worshipped on this day too. Many families look for a new idol for the home shrine. Cottage9’s traditional bronze idol of Adi Lakshmi shows her seated on a lotus in a South Indian bronze style. If you are looking for a silver Dhanteras purchase, you can browse our silver idols collection.
Apart from murtis, you can also explore metal puja items, which include diyas, puja thalis, and bells. Cottage9 is a store for devotional idols and art. We have something for every taste.
Final Thoughts
Dhanteras 2026 brings together care for health, hope for a steady livelihood, and family customs such as cleaning, lighting lamps, and praying together. Whether you buy gold or a utensil, the evening puja within the right Dhanteras puja muhurat is the heart of the day. If you would like a new idol for your shrine, you can view Cottage9’s collection of Maa Lakshmi murti for Dhanteras or browse our metal puja items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Lord Dhanvantri worshipped on Dhanteras?
According to the Dhanteras story, he emerged with the pot of amrit during amrit manthan. People worship him on the day of Dhanteras for good health.
What is Yama Deepdaan?
Yama Deepdaan, also known as Yamadeepam, is a Hindu ritual. An old traditional diya or a diya made from wheat flour with four faces is lit. The diya is placed at the main entrance of the home facing the south direction, the direction of Yama.
Are Dhanteras and Dhantrayodashi the same?
Dhanteras and Dhantrayodashi are interchangeable. Dhanteras is a more commonly used term. Dhantrayodashi employs the corresponding Sanskrit word for the thirteenth tithi. This day is also known as Dhanvantri Trayodashi, honouring the god Dhanvantari.
What should we buy on Dhanteras 2026?
Gold, silver, and utensils are the most common purchases for Dhanteras. You can prefer buying a Lakshmi murti, a Ganesha statue, a Vishnu idol, and other silver idols.
What should we avoid buying on Dhanteras?
Avoid purchases like sharp objects such as knives, iron items, black colored items, aluminium, plastic, glassware, and ceramics.
