Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, is an important Hindu festival celebrated at the beginning of the five-day Diwali festivities. On this auspicious occasion, devotees worship Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Ganesha, praying for good health, happiness, prosperity and abundance.
The festival is associated with the appearance of Lord Dhanvantari during the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean. People clean and decorate their homes, light diyas, purchase utensils or precious metals according to their traditions, and perform evening puja.
In this guide, learn about Dhanteras 2026, its date and puja muhurat, puja samagri, step-by-step puja vidhi, traditional vrat katha, important mantras and aarti.
Dhanteras 2026 Date and Shubh Muhurat
Dhanteras will be celebrated on Friday, 6 November 2026. The festival falls on the Trayodashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik.
The key timings for Dhanteras 2026 are as follows:
- Dhanteras date: Friday, 6 November 2026
- Trayodashi Tithi begins: 10:30 AM on 6 November
- Trayodashi Tithi ends: 10:47 AM on 7 November
- Dhanteras Puja Muhurat: 6:25 PM to 8:20 PM approximately
The puja muhurat is approximate. Puja timings can differ by location, so devotees should verify their local Panchang before performing the rituals.
Dhanteras Puja Samagri
Arrange the following items before beginning the puja:
- Idols or pictures of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari and Lord Kubera
- A wooden chowki and a clean cloth
- Diya, cotton wicks, ghee or oil
- Incense sticks and camphor
- Kumkum, turmeric, sandalwood paste and akshat
- Fresh flowers and a garland
- Fruits, sweets and other traditional offerings
- A kalash, water and a spoon
- Coins, a metal utensil or other items for symbolic worship
- A clay lamp for Yama Deep Daan
The exact list may vary according to regional customs and family traditions.
Dhanteras Puja Vidhi: Step-by-Step Rituals
1. Clean and Decorate the Home
Clean the house before the festival. Decorate the entrance with rangoli, flowers and diyas. Some families also draw small footprints symbolising the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi.
2. Prepare the Puja Place
Place a clean cloth on a wooden chowki and arrange the idols or pictures of the deities. Keep the puja samagri, flowers, fruits and sweets nearby.
3. Begin with Lord Ganesha
Offer flowers, akshat and a diya to Lord Ganesha. Pray for the removal of obstacles and the successful completion of the puja.
Chant:
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः।
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.
4. Worship Lord Dhanvantari
Lord Dhanvantari is revered as the divine physician and is associated with Ayurveda and well-being. Offer flowers, water and fruits while praying for the health and happiness of the family.
Chant the Dhanvantari mantra given below.
5. Worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera
Offer kumkum, flowers, sweets and coins to Goddess Lakshmi. Worship Lord Kubera, traditionally regarded as the treasurer of wealth.
Pray for prosperity, financial stability, wisdom and the ability to use wealth responsibly.
6. Worship New Utensils and Coins
Many families worship newly purchased utensils, gold, silver or coins on Dhanteras. Place the items before the deities and offer flowers and akshat.
Buying these items is a customary practice, not a requirement for performing the puja.
7. Light Diyas and Perform Aarti
Light diyas around the home and at the entrance. Recite the Dhanteras mantras and perform aarti to the deities.
Offer the prepared prasad and conclude the puja with a prayer for peace, good health and prosperity.
8. Perform Yama Deep Daan
Many Hindu families observe Yama Deep Daan on Dhanteras by lighting a lamp in remembrance of Yama, the deity associated with death. This tradition is observed as a prayer for the well-being and long life of family members.
Follow the customary method practised in your family or region.
Dhanteras Vrat Katha
The Story of King Hima’s Son
According to a popular traditional legend associated with Dhanteras, King Hima’s son was destined to die from a snakebite on the fourth night after his marriage.
When his wife learned about the prediction, she decided to protect her husband. On the appointed night, she gathered gold and silver ornaments, coins and other precious objects and placed them in a heap near the entrance of their chamber. She also lit numerous lamps throughout the surroundings.
She kept her husband awake by telling stories and singing songs. When Yama arrived in the form of a serpent, the brightness of the lamps and the heap of precious objects obstructed his way. The serpent climbed onto the heap but remained captivated by the light and the sounds of the woman’s songs.
By the time the night passed, the destined hour had gone by. The serpent departed without taking the prince’s life.
According to this legend, the observance of Dhanteras and the lighting of lamps became associated with protection from untimely death and the well-being of the family.
This story is traditionally remembered during the Dhanteras festivities, particularly in connection with Yama Deep Daan.
Important Dhanteras Mantras
1. Lord Dhanvantari Mantra
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय धन्वन्तरये अमृतकलशहस्ताय सर्वामयविनाशाय त्रैलोक्यनाथाय श्रीमहाविष्णवे नमः॥
Transliteration: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye Amrita-Kalasha-Hastaya Sarvamaya-Vinashaya Trailokyanathaya Shri Mahavishnave Namah.
Meaning: Salutations to Lord Dhanvantari, the divine manifestation of Lord Vishnu, who holds the pot of nectar and is worshipped for health and well-being.
2. Goddess Lakshmi Mantra
ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः।
Transliteration: Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah.
Meaning: Salutations to Goddess Mahalakshmi, the divine embodiment of prosperity and abundance.
3. Lord Kubera Mantra
ॐ यक्षाय कुबेराय वैश्रवणाय धनधान्यपतये धनसमृद्धिं मे देहि दापय स्वाहा॥
Transliteration: Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyapataye Dhana-Samriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha.
Meaning: A prayer to Lord Kubera for prosperity, abundance and the resources needed to sustain life.
4. Yama Deep Daan Mantra
मृत्युना पाशदण्डाभ्यां कालेन श्यामया सह।
त्रयोदश्यां दीपदानात् सूर्यजः प्रीयतां मम॥
Transliteration: Mrityuna Pashadandabhyam Kalena Shyamaya Saha.
Trayodashyam Deepadanat Suryajah Priyatam Mama.
Meaning: A traditional prayer offered during the lighting of the Dhanteras lamp, seeking the blessings of Yama.
Dhanteras Aarti
Aarti is an important part of the Dhanteras puja. Devotees traditionally perform aarti to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, and may also offer prayers to Lord Dhanvantari and Lord Kubera.
You can include the following aarti sections in your daily devotional practice:
- Shri Lakshmi Mata Aarti: Recite the traditional Om Jai Lakshmi Mata aarti to worship Goddess Lakshmi.
- Shri Ganesh Aarti: Recite Jai Ganesh Deva to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings.
- Lord Dhanvantari Prayer: Conclude with a prayer for health and well-being.
After the aarti, offer the diya to the deities, distribute prasad among family members and pray for peace and prosperity.
Why Is Dhanteras Celebrated?
Dhanteras carries several important religious and cultural meanings.
Worship of Lord Dhanvantari: The festival honours the divine physician and reminds devotees of the importance of health and well-being.
Worship of Goddess Lakshmi: Devotees seek blessings for prosperity, happiness and abundance.
Worship of Lord Kubera: Kubera is traditionally associated with wealth and the protection of treasures.
Lighting of diyas: Lamps symbolise light, hope and the victory of light over darkness.
Purchasing precious metals and utensils: Many families consider buying these items an auspicious tradition associated with prosperity and new beginnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is Dhanteras in 2026?
Dhanteras will be observed on Friday, 6 November 2026.
2. What is the Dhanteras Puja Muhurat?
The approximate evening puja muhurat is 6:25 PM to 8:20 PM on 6 November 2026. Timings vary by location, so check a local Panchang for confirmation.
3. Which deities are worshipped on Dhanteras?
Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Ganesha are commonly worshipped during Dhanteras.
4. Which mantra should be chanted on Dhanteras?
Devotees may chant the Dhanvantari mantra for well-being, the Lakshmi mantra for prosperity and the Kubera mantra as part of their worship.
5. Is buying gold necessary on Dhanteras?
No. Buying gold is a popular custom but is not compulsory. Devotion, prayer and performing the puja according to one’s family traditions are also important ways to observe the festival.
6. Why is a diya lit on Dhanteras?
Lighting a diya is associated with auspiciousness, hope and the traditional observance of Yama Deep Daan.
Continue Your Devotion
To deepen your worship on this day, you may also like to read or chant:
- Lakshmi Mantra – Meaning and Lyrics
- Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti
- Om Jai Jagdish Hare Aarti
- Vishnu Sahasranama
Conclusion
Dhanteras is a festival that brings together devotion, health, prosperity and the hope of new beginnings. Through the worship of Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Ganesha, devotees express gratitude and pray for the well-being of their families.
By learning the Dhanteras puja vidhi, remembering the traditional vrat katha, chanting the sacred mantras and performing aarti, devotees can observe this auspicious occasion according to their family and regional customs.
May Lord Dhanvantari bless everyone with good health, may Goddess Lakshmi bring peace and prosperity, and may Lord Ganesha remove obstacles from every home.
Shubh Dhanteras 2026!