Dhanteras 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat and What the Day Is Really About
Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday 6 November. Puja muhurat 6:02-7:57 PM in Delhi. Meaning of Dhanvantari, Yama Deepam and what to buy.
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The article
Dhanteras, or Dhantrayodashi, opens the five days of Diwali. In 2026 it falls on Friday 6 November. It is often described as the day to buy gold or utensils, but the older idea behind it is wider: that wealth begins with health, and that a home should be clean, lit and cared for before Lakshmi is welcomed. Timings are for New Delhi; sources are at the end.
Photo: Arnav, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Timings (New Delhi)
Dhanteras puja: Friday 6 November 2026
Puja muhurat: 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM
Pradosh Kaal: 5:33 PM to 8:09 PM
Trayodashi tithi: begins 10:30 AM on 6 November, ends 10:47 AM on 7 November
Yama Deepam: Friday 6 November Lakshmi puja is done in Pradosh Kaal, the roughly two and a half hours after sunset. Times vary by city.
The meaning
“Dhan” means wealth, and many take that to mean metal and money. Older tradition links the day to Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, who emerged during the churning of the ocean carrying a pot of amrita. Wealth, in this reading, begins with health. This is why the day is also observed as Dhanvantari Jayanti in some traditions, and why Ayurveda institutions mark it.
Photo: Haripurkar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yama Deepam is a lamp left outside the house at night, facing south, in memory of Yama, to protect the family from untimely loss. It is lit once the evening puja is complete and is meant to be small and quiet.
What families do
Clean the home, especially the entrance, and draw rangoli
Light diyas at the entrance and in the puja space
Buy something new for the home: utensils, silver or gold, or something small and useful
Worship Lakshmi, Ganesha and Kubera in Pradosh Kaal
Light the Yama Deepam after dark
A simple evening plan
Late afternoon: finish cleaning and set the puja space with flowers and a fresh cloth
Around 6:00 PM: begin Lakshmi and Ganesha puja within the muhurat
After the puja: offer sweets, share them with neighbours, and light the Yama Deepam at the door
Photo: Amitbsws, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Buying with care
Festival offers can nudge you to overspend. A useful rule: decide the budget first, buy from sellers you trust, and ask for a bill. A modest purchase done with intention is a better Dhanteras than a large one made under pressure. If you buy jewellery or coins, check the hallmark and the seller’s return terms. If you buy utensils, many families prefer steel or brass for daily use.
A wellness thought for the day
Since Dhanvantari is the god of Ayurveda, many people use Dhanteras to book a health check-up they have postponed, or to reset sleep before the festive weeks. A short walk after dinner, one fewer late night and a glass of warm water in the morning are modest ways to honour the day. This is a lifestyle suggestion, not medical advice.
The five days of Diwali
Dhanteras is the first of five days: Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja on Diwali day, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Planning ahead for Dhanteras makes the rest of the week calmer. See our Diwali 2026 guide on this blog, and wellness notes at wellness.dharmikvibes.com.
Quick answers
When is Dhanteras 2026? Friday 6 November. What is the puja muhurat? 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM in New Delhi. What is Yama Deepam? A lamp left outside the house after dark in memory of Yama.