Festival calendar
Dhanteras 2026: date and how it is observed
Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, 6 November 2026.
Date
Friday, 6 November 2026
Tithi
Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, in the evening
About Dhanteras
Dhanteras opens the five days of Diwali. It honours Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health, and Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera, the givers of wealth. It is considered auspicious to buy metal, utensils or gold, and a lamp is lit for Yama in the evening.
How Dhanteras is observed
- Worship Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kubera in the Pradosh time of Trayodashi.
- Buy something new, such as utensils, a coin or gold, in the day's muhurat.
- Light a lamp outside the house for Yama (Yama Deepam).
Stotras to read
- Lakshmi AshtakamEight verses by Yadupatyacharya invoking Goddess Lakshmi — the Venus-linked deity of wealth and prosperity in Vedic astrology. Recited on Fridays and Diwali for financial stability and divine grace.
- Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (Laxmi Ashtakam) with MeaningLaxmi Ashtakam (Mahalakshmi Ashtakam) in Sanskrit with Hindi and English meaning, traditional benefits and how to recite it on Fridays and Diwali.
More festivals in 2026
- Lohri
- Makar Sankranti
- Vasant Panchami
- Maha Shivratri
- Holi
- Ugadi & Gudi Padwa
- Ram Navami
- Hanuman Jayanti
- Jagannath Rath Yatra
- Guru Purnima
- Raksha Bandhan
- Krishna Janmashtami
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Sharad Navratri
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
- Sharad Purnima
- Karwa Chauth
- Govardhan Puja
- Bhai Dooj
- Chhath Puja
- Dev Uthani Ekadashi
- Kartik Purnima
- Diwali (Deepavali)
Dates are for New Delhi, calculated and checked against published panchangs. When a tithi spans two days or a region follows a different rule, a festival can fall a day earlier or later. For the exact muhurat in your city, check the local panchang.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dhanteras in 2026?
Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, 6 November 2026. The dates are for New Delhi.
Which tithi is Dhanteras celebrated on?
Dhanteras is celebrated on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, in the evening. This follows the North Indian (Purnimanta) calendar.
Why is Dhanteras celebrated?
Dhanteras opens the five days of Diwali. It honours Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health, and Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera, the givers of wealth. It is considered auspicious to buy metal, utensils or gold, and a lamp is lit for Yama in the evening.
Can the date of Dhanteras differ in my city?
Yes. When a tithi spans two days, or a region follows a different rule, a festival can fall a day earlier or later. For the exact muhurat of the puja, check the panchang for your city.
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