Dhanteras 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat & What to Buy by Zodiac Sign

Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November 2026, and with it the five-day Diwali festival begins. If you have been searching "Dhanteras 2026 kab hai" or wondering what to buy on Dhanteras this year, this guide covers it all: the date, how to time your puja, the simple rituals, and a buying list for each of the 12 zodiac signs. In my consultations I often see families spend more than they planned on Dhanteras because "it is auspicious". So I will also show you how to honour the day meaningfully on any budget.

Dhanteras 2026 at a glance
Date: Friday, 6 November 2026
Tithi: Krishna Paksha Trayodashi (Kartik month in the North Indian calendar)
Puja time: Pradosh kaal, the period just after sunset. Exact timings vary by city, so check your local panchang.
Date numerology: 6/11/2026 → 27 → 9 (Mars)
Next: Diwali Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, 8 November 2026

Dhanteras 2026 Date and Why It Matters

The word Dhanteras comes from Dhan (wealth) and Teras (the thirteenth lunar day, Trayodashi). It is also called Dhantrayodashi or Dhanvantari Jayanti. Three strands of tradition meet on this day:

• Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, is believed to have emerged from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) holding a pot of amrit. This is why Dhanteras is also National Ayurveda Day in India, and why health is treated as the first form of wealth.
• Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera are worshipped to invite prosperity into the home before the main Lakshmi Puja on Diwali night.
• Yama Deepam: a lamp is lit for Yamraj, the lord of death, to protect the family. The well-known story is of King Hima's son, who was fated to die on the fourth night of his marriage. His wife lit lamps and piled gold and silver at the door, then kept him awake with songs and stories. Yamraj, arriving as a serpent, was dazzled by the light and left quietly at dawn.

This year Dhanteras falls on a Friday, the day of Venus (Shukra), the planet of comfort, beauty and luxury. On its own that makes the day feel very "Lakshmi". There is one nuance in the 2026 sky, though, which I explain below.

Dhanteras Puja Muhurat 2026: How to Time Your Puja

Traditionally, Dhanteras puja and the Yama Deepam are done during Pradosh kaal. This is the window that starts at sunset and lasts roughly two and a half hours. Many households also prefer a sthir (fixed) lagna within that window, so that the prosperity they invite "stays". Sunset changes from Delhi to Mumbai to Kolkata to Bengaluru, so the precise window differs from city to city. Please check your local panchang or ask your family pandit for the exact Dhanteras muhurat in your city.

For shopping, there is no need to wait for one narrow slot. Most people buy during a favourable choghadiya (Shubh, Labh, Amrit or Char) at any point during the day. Your panchang app will list these for your location.

The Sky on Dhanteras 2026: What Astrology Says

Here is the planetary backdrop for 6 November 2026 (Vedic, sidereal):

• Sun in Libra (debilitated). Ego and authority are soft this season. Spending to impress others gives less satisfaction than spending on family and wellbeing.
• Venus retrograde, back in Virgo (its sign of debilitation). Venus rules jewellery, luxury goods, vehicles and beauty. During a retrograde we tend to over-analyse purchases or regret impulsive ones. Venus turns direct on 14 November and returns to its own sign Libra on 22 November 2026.
• Mercury retrograde in Libra until 13 November. Double-check bills, warranties, gold purity marks (look for the BIS hallmark) and online orders.
• Jupiter has just entered Leo (31 October 2026), where it sits alongside Ketu. This combination favours sincere, spiritual giving over showy display.

My practical advice: keep the Dhanteras tradition alive by buying something auspicious, such as a silver coin, a small gold item, a brass diya or a new utensil. But if you are planning a big jewellery set, a car or an expensive gadget and the purchase is not urgent, there is no harm in waiting until after 14 November (or after 22 November, when Venus is strong again). The festival blessing is in the intention, not the price tag.

Dhanteras 2026 Numerology: The Energy of 9

Add up the date 6/11/2026 and you get 6 + 11 + 10 = 27 → 9, the number of Mars (Mangal). Number 9 stands for courage, completion and protection. Mars also rules metals such as copper and iron, as well as land and property. Combine that with Friday (Venus) and the message is clear: protect and strengthen what you already have. The day suits clearing old dues, setting a savings target for the coming year, or buying copper or brass items for the puja room. If you would like to see how 9 interacts with your own birth number, use our free Mulank & Bhagyank calculator.

Simple Dhanteras Puja Vidhi at Home

1. Clean the house, especially the entrance and the north-east corner. Make a small rangoli at the main door.
2. In the evening, place a clean red or yellow cloth on a chowki. Set out images or idols of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Dhanvantari.
3. Offer roli, rice (akshat), flowers, a sweet and dhaniya (coriander) seeds. Place any new purchase, such as a coin or utensil, before the deities.
4. Chant "Om Dhanvantaraye Namah" for health and "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" for prosperity. 11 or 108 times is fine, whatever you can do with focus.
5. Yama Deepam: light a four-wick mustard-oil diya and place it outside the main door facing south. Pray for the long life and safety of your family.
6. Sow a few of the offered dhaniya seeds in a pot afterwards. Many families believe the sprouting reflects the household's prosperity in the year ahead.

The full Lakshmi Puja vidhi for Diwali night is in my companion guide, Diwali 2026 Lakshmi Puja muhurat and vidhi.

What to Buy on Dhanteras 2026 (Any Budget)

• Silver coin or small silver item: linked to the Moon and Lakshmi, and the most popular choice.
• Gold: even a small nose pin, earring or coin is enough. Check hallmarking.
• Brass or copper utensils, especially a kalash, lota or diya for the puja room.
• A new broom (jhadu): a symbol of Lakshmi that "sweeps away" poverty. It is the most budget-friendly Dhanteras purchase.
• Whole dhaniya (coriander seeds), gomti chakra, or a new account book (bahi-khata) for business owners.
• Health-related items, in the spirit of Dhanvantari: a first-aid kit, Ayurvedic herbs, or a fitness plan you will actually follow.

Traditionally avoided: sharp objects such as knives and scissors, black-coloured items, empty containers (put a little rice or water in any new vessel before bringing it home), and buying on credit. Treat these as cultural beliefs, not rules to fear.

What to Buy on Dhanteras 2026 by Zodiac Sign

Use your Moon sign (rashi). If you do not know it, check your birth chart or see our horoscopes page. Each suggestion connects to your sign's ruling planet.

Rashi (Moon sign)	Ruling planet	Auspicious buy
Aries (Mesh)	Mars	Copper kalash or copper bottle; red sandalwood
Taurus (Vrishabh)	Venus	Silver coin or silver anklet; a white-fragrance attar
Gemini (Mithun)	Mercury	Bronze (kansa) utensil; a new pen or diary for business
Cancer (Kark)	Moon	Silver glass or bowl; pearl-white home decor
Leo (Simha)	Sun	Small gold item; copper Surya plate for arghya
Virgo (Kanya)	Mercury	Bronze diya; a plant such as tulsi or money plant
Libra (Tula)	Venus	Silver Lakshmi coin; a new set of puja vastra
Scorpio (Vrishchik)	Mars	Copper or brass diya; red coral-coloured cloth for the chowki
Sagittarius (Dhanu)	Jupiter	Gold (even small); yellow brass utensils; religious books
Capricorn (Makar)	Saturn	Steel utensils for daily use; a broom; something to donate
Aquarius (Kumbh)	Saturn	Steel or mixed-metal vessel; donate food or warm clothes
Pisces (Meen)	Jupiter	Gold or brass; haldi, chana dal for the puja; spiritual books

A note for Aquarius, Pisces and Aries, who are under Sade Sati right now, and for Leo and Sagittarius, who have Shani Dhaiya: you will get more out of Dhanteras by including some daan, such as food, a blanket or a utensil for someone in need, than by buying extra for yourself. Saturn rewards generosity and simplicity. My sign-by-sign festival upay are in Diwali 2026 remedies by zodiac sign.

Dhanteras and Choti Diwali in 2026

Usually Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) falls between Dhanteras and Diwali. In 2026, because of how the tithis fall, Narak Chaturdashi coincides with Diwali in India on Sunday, 8 November. Abroad, for example in the US and UK, it is observed on 7 November. So for most Indian families, Dhanteras on 6 November is followed directly by Diwali on 8 November.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dhanteras 2026 kab hai?

Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, 6 November 2026. Puja is done in the evening during Pradosh kaal. Check your local panchang for your city's exact timing.

Is it okay to buy gold on Dhanteras 2026 when Venus is retrograde?

Yes, for a symbolic or small purchase. Dhanteras is one of the most auspicious days of the year. For large, discretionary luxury purchases, many astrologers suggest waiting until Venus turns direct on 14 November 2026.

What is the cheapest auspicious thing to buy on Dhanteras?

A new broom, whole coriander seeds, or a small clay or brass diya. Each of these is considered fully auspicious, and Lakshmi responds to devotion, not expense.

Can I buy steel or iron on Dhanteras?

Traditionally, iron and sharp objects are avoided. Everyday steel utensils are commonly bought, though, and are suggested for Saturn-ruled signs. Just do not bring a new vessel home empty.

Which lamp is lit on Dhanteras night?

The Yama Deepam: a four-faced mustard-oil diya placed outside the main door, facing south, for the protection and long life of the family.

Begin the Festival with Intention

Dhanteras 2026 is a reminder that real wealth is health, family and wise choices, with gold coming after these. Buy something small and meaningful, light the Yama Deepam, and share with someone in need. If you would like personalised guidance on timing a major purchase or investment this season, you can book a consultation with me. Wishing you and your family a blessed and prosperous Dhanteras.