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Next: 6 Nov 2026

Dhanteras

The first day of Diwali: buying a new utensil or a little gold for good fortune, and lighting a lamp for Yama.

Dhanteras
Photo: The original uploader was F16 at Hebrew Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When is Dhanteras in 2026?

Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, 6 November 2026. Other years: 2027, Wednesday, 27 October 2027; 2028, Sunday, 15 October 2028.

About Dhanteras

Dhanteras, on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Kartik, opens the five days of Diwali. It is considered lucky to buy something new on this day, most often a metal item such as a steel or brass utensil, a coin or a piece of gold or silver jewellery, and jewellers see their busiest day of the year. In the evening a lamp is lit at the door for Yama, the god of death, to guard the family from untimely loss. The day is also dedicated to Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, and Ayurvedic doctors worship him on this day. Businesses clean their premises and draw footprints of Lakshmi at the door.

Dhanteras dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

YearDhanteras date
2026Friday, 6 November 2026
2027Wednesday, 27 October 2027
2028Sunday, 15 October 2028

What is eaten

  • sweets
  • coriander and jaggery

Traditions of Dhanteras

DiwaliThe festival the day opens.

Also part of it, and being written: Dhanvantari (The divine physician honoured on the day.), Yama (The god for whom a lamp is lit.).

About this page

Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Dhanteras" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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