Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, 6 November. The Dhanteras puja muhurat is 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM in New Delhi and 6:11 PM to 8:07 PM in Jaipur, within Pradosh Kaal. Trayodashi tithi runs from 10:30 AM on 6 November to 10:47 AM on 7 November, so the evening puja and Yam Deep Daan both fall on 6 November.
Whether you are preparing your puja thali or deciding what to buy, this guide helps you get ready. Find the date, puja timings for 15 cities, samagri, simple worship steps and Yam Deep Daan guidance below.
Dhanteras 2026 Date and Trayodashi Tithi
| Event | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras 2026 | Friday, 6 November | Evening worship |
| Trayodashi Tithi begins | 6 November 2026 | 10:30 AM |
| Trayodashi Tithi ends | 7 November 2026 | 10:47 AM |
| Pradosh Kaal (New Delhi) | 6 November 2026 | 5:33 PM – 8:09 PM |
| Vrishabha Kaal (New Delhi) | 6 November 2026 | 6:02 PM – 7:57 PM |
| Yam Deep Daan | 6 November 2026 | Evening, after sunset |
All timings in this article are in Indian Standard Time (IST).
Is Dhanteras on 6 or 7 November 2026?
Dhanteras is on 6 November 2026. The confusion arises because Trayodashi continues into the next morning.
For Dhanteras evening worship, Trayodashi’s presence during Pradosh Kaal, the period after sunset, matters. In 2026, this falls on 6 November; the tithi ends before the evening of 7 November.
Dhanteras Puja Muhurat 2026: Timings for 15 Cities
| City | Puja begins | Puja ends |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | 6:02 PM | 7:57 PM |
| Mumbai | 6:35 PM | 8:35 PM |
| Bengaluru | 6:25 PM | 8:20 PM |
| Hyderabad | 6:15 PM | 8:13 PM |
| Chennai | 6:14 PM | 8:10 PM |
| Kolkata | 5:28 PM | 7:26 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 6:30 PM | 8:28 PM |
| Pune | 6:32 PM | 8:31 PM |
| Jaipur | 6:11 PM | 8:07 PM |
| Lucknow | 5:50 PM | 7:47 PM |
| Varanasi | 5:44 PM | 7:42 PM |
| Patna | 5:36 PM | 7:33 PM |
| Chandigarh | 6:00 PM | 7:54 PM |
| Gurugram | 6:03 PM | 7:59 PM |
| Noida | 6:01 PM | 7:57 PM |
These windows apply to 6 November 2026.
Why Does the Puja Muhurat Differ by City?
The recommended window combines Trayodashi Tithi, Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha Lagna. Local sunset and Lagna timings vary with location, which changes the puja window.
Vrishabha is a fixed Lagna traditionally preferred for this worship. You do not need to belong to the Taurus zodiac sign to use this muhurat.
Dhanteras Puja Samagri List
Arrange your puja items during the day. A simple checklist helps you avoid searching for flowers, wicks or offerings just before worship.
Depending on your household tradition, keep these items ready:
- Images or deities used in your worship
- A clean cloth, chowki and puja plate
- Earthen diyas, cotton wicks, oil or ghee
- Clean water in a small vessel
- Fresh flowers
- Chandan, roli and akshata, where customary
- Incense
- Fruits or suitable sweets for offering
- Items used for your customary aarti
If you observe Yam Deep Daan, prepare its lamp separately.
How to Perform Dhanteras Puja at Home
The following steps offer a simple home worship guide. Follow your family or temple tradition for a formal ritual and its prescribed mantras.
- 01
Clean and Prepare Your Altar
Clean the worship space and arrange the puja items neatly. Bathe and wear clean clothes before sitting for worship.
Try to finish shopping and decoration earlier so you can keep the evening free for prayer.
- 02
Arrange the Worship Images
Place the images or deities used in your family’s Dhanteras observance on the prepared altar.
Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera are traditionally worshipped on Dhanteras. If you follow a Vaishnava tradition, keep your established altar and worship practice as guided by your temple.
Many devotees also keep a picture of Lord Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, on the altar.
- 03
Begin with Remembrance and Prayer
Sit quietly for a moment and offer your respects. Begin with the prayers or invocations followed in your household.
This gives you a clear starting point and helps you turn your attention towards worship.
- 04
Offer Flowers, Incense and a Lamp
Offer flowers, incense and the lighted diya according to your tradition. Apply chandan, roli or akshata where these form part of your practice.
If you have purchased a coin or utensil for the occasion, you may place it near the altar where customary.
- 05
Offer Food and Recite Prayers
Offer the prepared fruits or sweets. Recite the mantras and prayers you have been taught.
Along with your customary prayers, you can ask for wisdom, well-being and the ability to fulfil your responsibilities honestly.
- 06
Conclude with Aarti and Prasadam
Complete your customary aarti or closing prayers. Afterwards, share the offered food as prasadam.
Keep the worship unhurried by preparing everything before the muhurat begins.
Yam Deep Daan on Dhanteras
Yam Deep Daan, also called Yama Deepam, is an evening lamp offering associated with Yamaraja. In 2026, it is observed on 6 November.
Traditionally, a lamp is placed outside the home as a prayer for protection from untimely death. This expresses a religious belief associated with the observance.
How to Prepare for Yam Deep Daan
- Keep an earthen lamp, oil and cotton wick ready.
- Light the lamp after sunset on 6 November, during the evening period followed in your local tradition.
- Place it outside the home at the customary location.
- Offer the prayers taught in your family.
The lamp’s shape, number of wicks and placement can differ by tradition. Its timing should be checked separately from the Lakshmi–Kubera puja window.
What to Buy on Dhanteras 2026
Buying something new is a familiar Dhanteras custom. Common choices include:
- Gold or silver coins
- Jewellery
- Brass, copper or other metal utensils
- Useful household items
- Diyas and puja supplies
Choose an item that suits your needs and budget. For example, a utensil you will use regularly can be a more thoughtful purchase than an expensive object bought under pressure.
Is Buying Gold Necessary?
Buying gold is a custom, rather than a requirement for taking part in home worship. You can prepare your altar, offer prayers and observe your household traditions without making a costly purchase.
If you wish to buy something, decide your budget before shopping.
Is the Puja Muhurat Also the Shopping Muhurat?
The city table above lists puja timings. It does not list separate auspicious windows for buying gold, silver or other items.
If your family follows a shopping muhurat, check that window separately for your location.
What Should You Avoid Buying?
Restrictions about particular metals, colours or objects vary across regional traditions. Avoid treating every online list as a rule that applies to your household.
Follow your established custom. If a restriction is unclear, ask your family priest about its basis.
Dhanvantari Jayanti: Remembering Lord Dhanvantari
Dhanteras is also observed as Dhanvantari Jayanti, the appearance day of Lord Dhanvantari. He is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who appeared from the churning of the ocean carrying a pot of nectar, and He is remembered as the physician of the demigods and the source of Ayurveda.
When to do Dhanvantari Puja at home: Many families include Lord Dhanvantari in the evening Dhanteras puja; others offer prayers in the morning. Offer a lamp, flowers and tulsi leaves, and pray for good health so you can continue your service and responsibilities.
Why Is Dhanteras Celebrated?
Dhanteras begins the traditional Diwali festive period and brings together customs connected with prosperity, health and worship.
Lakshmi is worshipped as the goddess of fortune, while Kubera is honoured as the guardian of wealth. The occasion is also associated with Lord Dhanvantari and the tradition of Ayurveda.
Knowing these connections helps you understand the worship beyond the shopping custom.
Observing Dhanteras with Devotion
Alongside your household observance, you can continue your regular spiritual practices, such as chanting, hearing scripture and offering food to the Lord.
If you follow a Vaishnava tradition, let your established practice guide your celebration. You can also choose a small act of service according to your capacity.
Dhanteras falls in the holy month of Kartik, when devotees offer lamps to Lord Damodar every evening; you can join this during Deepotsava at Gupt Vrindavan Dham. Two days later, on 8 November, families perform the main Diwali worship – see our step-by-step Lakshmi Puja vidhi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prepare for Dhanteras 2026
Plan your Dhanteras evening around your local puja time, with samagri and offerings ready in advance. Follow your household tradition and keep shopping within a comfortable budget.
Save your city’s muhurat and prepare your puja checklist before 6 November, so you have time to worship with attention.
The next day, 7 November, is Kali Chaudas, followed by Diwali on 8 November.
