Dhanteras is the first day of the Diwali celebrations. Dhanteras Puja Vidhi includes special rituals that are performed to bring wealth, health and happiness to the family. Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kubera and Lord Dhanvantari are worshipped on this day. Many households decorate and clean their houses, light Brass diyas, and buy gold, silver or utensils, which are considered auspicious.
Being organised and knowing which rituals to perform and in what sequence helps ensure that the puja is performed smoothly. In this blog, we are going to discuss the steps of Dhanteras Puja Vidhi in an easy-to-understand way and will also explain the other important elements of the puja and rituals.
Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival celebrated by Hindus. It is observed on the thirteenth day of the dark half of the lunar month of Kartik, also known as Krishna Paksha. Dhanteras is also referred to as Dhanwantri Triodasi or Trayodashi. Dhanteras literally means the thirteenth day of the month of Dhan (Wealth). Hindus worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kuber, Lord Ganesha and Dhanvantri on this day.
It is customary for Hindus to clean their homes, purchase utensils, gold and silver and celebrate Dhanteras. In recent years, many Hindus have started buying electronic items and machinery on Dhanteras.
Lord Dhanvantri is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is the god of Health and Healing, and is also the founder of Ayurveda. The festival of Dhanteras reminds Hindus of the importance of health and wealth.
Dhanteras is related to the celebration of wealth, health, safety, and overall wellness. Some of the most popular legends include Lord Dhanvantari, the Samudra Manthan, the Yama Deepam, and the King's Son tradition.
Lord Dhanvantari was born in the ocean during the Samudra Manthan and is thus closely related to this festival. He is the Lord of healing and health, and is also associated with Ayurveda. He is depicted carrying a pot of amrit in one of his hands, which connects him with health and immortality. The practices done on this day are related to health and safety.
The Devas and Asuras performed the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean) to obtain Amrit. Many divine and valuable treasures, including Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari, emerged from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan. This is why Dhanteras is related to Lakshmi and Dhanvantari and associated with health and wealth.
According to another legend, once there was a king named Hima. His son was very young and had a horoscope that predicted he would die from a snakebite on his 5th birthday. To protect the prince, the queen stayed awake and placed gold and silver ornaments, coins and lamps at the entrance of the palace. She kept the palace bright / well lit and narrated stories to the prince to keep him awake.
Yama, the God of Death, took the form of a serpent and came to the palace to get the prince. The serpent could not enter due to the lamps, ornaments, and precious things. Thus, the prince was protected. This is the significance of lighting the Yama Deepak on Dhanteras.
The legends of Dhanteras go beyond purchasing gold, silver and other valuable things. The tradition of the Yama Deepak represents protection and longevity. Therefore, Dhanteras is the day for protection and blessings for well-being and the beginning of many auspicious things before Diwali.
Dhanteras is a festival that marks the start of the Diwali celebrations. This festival is a ritual to offer thanks for abundance and well-being. Prosperity is related to the goddess Lakshmi, while abundance is related to Lord Kubera. Lord Dhanvantari is also related to this festival, as he is the god of healing and wellness. There are various practices related to this festival. For instance, some light diyas, while others keep their house clean to be prepared to receive guests. Also, families buy gold and silver or new utensils. This is related to the start of a new and better life.
There are many different reasons why families wish to observe Dhanteras Puja at home. For many, the puja is performed as an offering of thanksgiving for all the bounty of the year, including good health and the overall prosperity and well-being of the family. Dhanteras is the first day of the Diwali festivities, and by performing the worship at home, family members get an opportunity to come together to invoke and create a positive and devout start for the festivities ahead. The festival also encompasses the legendary figure of Lord Dhanvantari and thus, health and well-being assume further significance. Additionally, many families observe the custom of purchasing a valuable/useful item on the day as an expression of appreciation and thankfulness for the benefits bestowed upon the family as well as for the wise use of their wealth.
To do Dhanteras Puja at home, first choose a clean and quiet place for the Puja and organise everything before the auspicious time starts. Generally, an evening Puja is done after sunset during the suitable Pradosh Kaal. Traditionally, the first step of the puja is called sankalp, where people pray for their family's well-being and prosperity. Next, place Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera, and set up offerings for them. Offerings can include flowers, kumkum, rice, sweets, fruits, etc. Please note that offerings can be anything that is traditionally offered to Goddess Lakshmi. The next step is the worship of Lord Ganesha, followed by Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. Then offer all the worshipped items to the deities. After making the offerings, the puja is complete. One can recite mantras and prayers and perform aarti. Blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera are sought for health, well-being and prosperity.
Dhanteras Puja is on Friday, November 6, 2026
Dhanteras Puja Muhurat- 05:33 PM to 07:24 PM
Duration- 01 hrs 51 Min
Yama Deepam on Friday, November 6, 2026
Pradosh Kaal- 05:06 PM to 07:48 PM
Virshabha Kaal- 05:33 PM to 07:24 PM
Trayodashi Tithi Begins – 09:00 PM on Nov 05, 2026
Trayodashi Tithi Ends – 09:17 PM on Nov 06, 2026
According to Niroupa, rituals on Dhanteras evening become potent due to the movement of the Moon in Virgo and the Sun in Libra. This timing is useful for searching for financial equilibrium and for financial fresh starts.
The auspicious time for Dhanteras Puja is the time when Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera are worshipped by the family for wealth and prosperity. Lord Dhanvantri is also worshipped for good health. Buying gold, silver, and other valuable things is a part of Dhanteras celebration to invite abundance and positivity in the family.
Dhanteras is an auspicious day that marks the beginning of the Diwali celebration and is marked by performing certain traditional practices concerned with prosperity, health and safety of the family, and preparation of the house for the celebrations.
Families clean their homes and decorate entrances with beautiful rangolis, flowers, torans and diyas. Thorough cleaning of the house is done to prepare the house to welcome the festive season with a positive and welcoming attitude.
In the evening, families perform Dhanteras puja and worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Ganesh. Sweets, fruits, flowers and other offerings are presented by the families according to their traditions.
Diyas are lit at various places at home, including the windows and doors. A traditional diya is lit to offer protection to all family members from any mishap and ensure their longevity.
A custom is followed to buy gold, silver, utensils or other necessary items on this day, which brings prosperity to the family.
Since Dhanteras is connected with Lord Dhanvantari, prayers are offered to the Lord for bestowing good health and prosperity.
The entrances of homes are decorated with lights and beautiful rangolis to welcome all the guests.
Different mantras are recited for Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. In this write-up, the focus will be on a mantra for Goddess Lakshmi.
ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः ।
Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah.
This mantra should be chanted with full concentration and devotion. You may choose the mantras chanted by your family or the mantras chanted by your family priest.
In order to perform the Dhanteras Puja without interruption, keep all the puja samagri ready beforehand. Different families and regions may use slightly different Dhanteras Puja samagri, but the following are widely used:
Note: Keeping the samagri organised before the Dhanteras Puja Muhurat helps in keeping the puja organised and allows you to concentrate on prayers rather than leaving the puja area for arranging samagri several times.
It is customary to purchase new items of use on the auspicious day of Dhanteras. What exactly is bought varies from family to family. Here are some of the most common purchases.
Purchasing gold and silver items is probably the most common of all the purchases made on Dhanteras. This can include gold and/or silver coins, jewellery, idols, and other items of personal choice.
Purchasing silver coins of Lord Ganesh or Goddess Lakshmi is a common practice in many families. These coins are later placed in the Pooja area or are used in Diwali worship.
Apart from gold and silver items, purchasing new steel, copper, or brass utensils is a common practice on Dhanteras.
Dhanteras is a day to purchase gold and silver jewellery. Families buy according to their budget and preference.
Families also buy diyas and lamps, as well as incense and thalis used in puja and other items required for performing puja to celebrate Diwali.
Dhanteras also marks the beginning of the financial year for businesses. On this day, businessmen purchase account books and office supplies.
Many families prefer to buy household items they need. For example, a new fan or cooking utensil. The idea is to buy something useful and make a good purchase.
Also Read: A Handy Guide to the Best Diwali Gift Ideas for Employees
Dhanteras is about more than the buying of gold, silver and new household items. It is the first day of the Diwali festivities and provides an opportunity for the family to pray for their health, happiness and prosperity and for financial well-being. Families can show devotion and understanding of the celebration by preparing the puja samagri, following the traditions and performing the rituals of the puja during the auspicious muhurat. Dhanteras is about celebrating the beginning of the festive season with positivity and gratitude. Observing it as a simple home puja or as an elaborate family puja, the essence of Dhanteras is the same. For more Pooja samgiri and other spiritual items, visit The Divine Tales.
1. What is the Dhanteras date in 2026?
A. The Dhanteras date in 2026 and timings are as per the Hindu local calendar. People should refer to the Panchang of their location.
2. What is the meaning of Dhanteras?
A. Dhanteras means prosperity, wealth and health and is also the day for worshipping Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi. It is celebrated on Trayodashi (13th) of Krishna Paksha in Kartik month. This day is also known as Dhantrayodashi.
3. What is the muhurat for Dhanteras Puja in 2026?
A. The muhurat for Dhanteras Puja is the time frame within which the worship is considered auspicious. This time varies from place to place, so one should check the Panchang of their location for the exact time.
4. What is Dhanteras Puja?
A. Dhanteras Puja is a Hindu worship ritual for the first day of the festival to honour Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for overall well-being and prosperity. Along with Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, various other deities are also worshipped by families as per their traditions on Dhanteras Puja.
5. How to do Dhanteras Puja at home?
A. For Dhanteras Puja at home, one has to clean and decorate the Puja space, place the deities, and offer diya, flowers, fruits, sweets, etc. as Naivedhya. Perform the worship as per the Dhanteras Puja Muhurat.
7. What are the important rituals of Dhanteras?
A. Important Dhanteras rituals include cleaning the house, making colourful designs in the entryways with sand, preparing a diya mandap or lamp stand, offering Puja to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari, buying gold or silver or other auspicious things, and illuminating the sky with diyas in the evening.
8. What does one do on Dhanteras?
A. The day of Dhanteras is very auspicious. Clean your home, decorate the entrance of your home, perform the Dhanteras Pujan, light diyas, and according to the family’s traditions, buy things that are believed to bring prosperity to the family, and pray for the health and well-being of all family members.
9. What is the time for performing Dhanteras puja?
A. Generally, the puja of Dhanteras is done during the Pradosh Kaal; however, the actual time varies according to different cities and Panchangs. You must find out the local time for an accurate puja window.
10. Can puja be performed at home?
A. Definitely! You can perform puja at home by making a few preparations. You can clean a particular space at home, keep a lamp stand, offer flowers and sweets to the deities, and sincerely pray. This can be a family puja.
11. What is Dhanteras?
A. Dhanteras is also known as Dhantrayodashi, is the 13th day of the dark phase (Krishna paksha) in the month of Kartika. This day is dedicated to the worship of Lord Dhanvantari and denotes the arrival of wealth, prosperity, good health and wellness in the household.
12. What is the story behind Dhanteras?
A. Lakshmi Puja is performed on Dhanteras, and the arrival of Lord Dhanvantari is believed to purify the house and remove any negative energy. This day is the first day of the prolonged festivity before Diwali.
13. What should be purchased on Dhanteras?
A. Gold, silver, utensils, household items, etc. are bought by people on this day. It is a custom to buy some auspicious things on this day.
14. What is the difference between Dhanteras and Dhantrayodashi?
A. There is no difference between the two. Dhanteras is the more popular term for the same festival, which is celebrated on the Trayodashi Tithi.
