Spirituality

Dhanteras falls on November 6 in 2026.

Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6, two days before Diwali, Hindustan Times reports. The festival is associated with worship, lamps and purchases of gold, silver and household goods. Gurudev Vikrant Jain, founder and chairman of the Indian Institute of Vedic Science, shared details of the day's traditions and timing.

Also called Dhantrayodashi, the festival marks the start of the main Diwali celebrations in many parts of India, according to Outlook India. Families prepare by cleaning and decorating their homes, shopping and gathering materials for the evening puja, a Hindu worship ritual.

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Evening worship has a local window#

The Trayodashi tithi, the thirteenth lunar day, begins at 10:30 a.m. on November 6 and ends at 10:47 a.m. on November 7, Hindustan Times reports. The main puja traditionally takes place during Pradosh Kaal, the period around and after sunset.

Jain told Hindustan Times that families worship Lakshmi, Kubera and Dhanvantari after sunset, when lamps are lit. In Hindu tradition, Dhanvantari is associated with Ayurveda and is considered an avatar of Vishnu, according to Wikipedia.

The festival's name combines words for wealth and the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight, Outlook India reports. Its observance is associated with health and well-being as well as material prosperity.

Purchases and lamps mark the day#

Gold and silver are common Dhanteras purchases, but Hindustan Times reports that families also buy coins, utensils and other household items. A new broom is associated with cleanliness and prosperity, while some families buy coriander seeds as a symbol of growth and abundance.

The Economic Times describes zodiac-based shopping choices as symbolic suggestions rather than religious rules, and says prosperity cannot be counted on. Its account also says a purchase is not required to observe the festival. Outlook India notes that small gold items are among the choices some families make.

Some devotees light a diya, or lamp, for Yama. Jain described placing an oil-filled diya outside the entrance facing south, Hindustan Times reports. In New Delhi, the institute gives the November 6 puja window as 6:02 p.m. to 7:57 p.m.; times vary by city.

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