Dhanteras falls today, Friday, 6 November 2026, and it opens the five-day Diwali festival. It is the biggest gold-buying day of the year for most Indian families, and this year the most auspicious time for the evening puja runs from 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM in New Delhi. Diwali itself, the Lakshmi Puja, follows on Sunday, 8 November.

Dhanteras 2026: date and tithi

  • Date: Friday, 6 November 2026
  • Trayodashi Tithi begins: 10:30 AM on 6 November
  • Trayodashi Tithi ends: 10:47 AM on 7 November
  • The timings are from Drik Panchang. You can buy gold and silver at any point while the Trayodashi Tithi is running — from 10:30 AM today until 10:47 AM tomorrow.

Dhanteras is also called Dhantrayodashi. It is observed on the Trayodashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month, and it marks the start of the five days of Diwali: Dhanteras today, Choti Diwali on 7 November, Diwali and Lakshmi Puja on 8 November, Govardhan Puja on 9 or 10 November, and Bhai Dooj on 11 November.

Puja muhurat: the best time this evening

The main Dhanteras puja is the Lakshmi-Kuber Puja, done in the evening during Pradosh Kaal, when the fixed Vrishabha (Taurus) Lagna is rising. For New Delhi, the timings are:

  • Dhanteras Puja Muhurat: 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM (1 hour 56 minutes)
  • Pradosh Kaal: 5:33 PM to 8:09 PM
  • Vrishabha Kaal: 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM

These timings are calculated for New Delhi and shift by a few minutes in other cities, so check your local Panchang if you are outside Delhi. The puja honours Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber, the keeper of wealth, and Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, whose name gives the festival its first half — Dhan (wealth) and Teras (thirteenth day).

Best time to buy gold and silver today

For families who follow the Choghadiya (the day’s auspicious hours), the recommended buying windows in New Delhi today are:

  • Shubh: 12:05 PM to 1:27 PM
  • Char: 4:11 PM to 5:33 PM
  • Labh: 8:49 PM to 10:27 PM

The evening puja window itself, 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM, is also considered ideal for buying. Gold buying matters today because prices are already high: Delhi gold was at Rs 1,46,600 per 10 grams on 4 November, and silver at Rs 1,93,000 a kilo. If you are buying, keep the bill and the hallmark certificate — they matter when you sell or exchange the gold later.

What to buy on Dhanteras

Buying something new on Dhanteras is a way of welcoming Lakshmi into the home. The traditional purchases are:

  • Gold or silver coins and jewellery: the most common buy. Coins stamped with Lakshmi and Ganesha are often kept for the Diwali puja two days later.
  • Brass and steel utensils: a new utensil, especially brass, is considered auspicious and is a popular buy for families who do not want to spend on gold.
  • Broom (jhadu): buying a new broom is believed to sweep away poverty and bad luck.
  • Coriander seeds (dhaniya): whole coriander seeds are bought and kept as a symbol of prosperity.
  • Vehicles and electronics: many families also book a car, a two-wheeler or a home appliance today, because dealers run festive offers around Dhanteras.

There is no rule that you must buy gold. Any new purchase made with good intent counts. What matters is that the purchase happens during the Trayodashi Tithi.

What else to know today

  • Dhanteras is not a gazetted central government holiday, so government offices and banks work as usual today. Markets and jewellery shops stay open late, with extended shopping hours.
  • The five-day festival continues with Choti Diwali tomorrow, 7 November, and the main Diwali and Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, 8 November.
  • Stock markets will also mark the festival: the special Muhurat trading session runs on Sunday, 8 November, from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM.

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