Dhanteras falls on 6 November 2026. Gold, silver and new utensils are customary purchases, while some families leave iron, knives and glassware for another day.
Also called Dhantrayodashi, Dhanteras opens the five-day Diwali festivities. Families worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera in observances associated with prosperity. The day also honours Lord Dhanvantari, the deity associated with Ayurveda and healing.
Key Highlights
- A brass bowl, copper vessel, or set of clay diyas can mark the occasion without the expense of gold jewellery.
- Some households postpone iron cookware, knives, and glassware purchases. Customs around stainless steel vary.
- For hallmarked jewellery, use the BIS Care app to verify the code on the piece before paying.
What to Buy on Dhanteras 2026
A small silver coin works as a symbolic gift. A plain gold pendant can serve as both a festive purchase and something the recipient will wear after Diwali. In either case, the purchase follows a custom that links precious metals with prosperity. For a household that buys utensils each year, a brass bowl or copper lota can serve the same ceremonial purpose.
A new broom, whole coriander seeds, or clay diyas are lower-cost choices. The broom has its own place in the festival. In some households, it symbolises sweeping away misfortune before welcoming Lakshmi. Clay diyas bought on Friday can be used through Diwali.
The festival’s association with health was also part of the Prime Minister’s Dhanteras post-greetings on X on Friday. He invoked Lord Dhanvantari and wished households peace and good health.
What Some Families Avoid Buying on Dhanteras
A steel thali may be welcome in one home while another family picks brass because it avoids iron that day. Families following the custom may also postpone a few other purchases following traditional Dhanteras shopping preferences.
- Iron items such as a cast-iron tawa may be left for another day because some traditions associate iron with Shani.
- Knives, scissors and blades are sometimes set aside because cutting carries an unfavourable symbolic association with the festival.
- Glassware and black items are also avoided in some homes. The preference varies by family.
The empty-vessel custom starts after the purchase. Some families put a little rice, grain, or water in a new pot before bringing it indoors. The full vessel symbolises abundance.
How to Check Gold and Silver Before Paying
More than 65 crore gold articles had received a unique hallmark ID as of 15 October 2026, the Press Information Bureau reported on 5 November. At the counter, the useful number is the six-character Hallmark Unique Identification code, or HUID, on the piece being bought.
- Read the marks on the piece. Look for the BIS mark, the purity grade, and the HUID. A stamp such as 22K916 gives the purity grade for that gold item.
- Enter the HUID in BIS Care. Use the Verify HUID feature to look up the hallmarked article. For silver jewellery and articles, hallmarking is voluntary, but pieces newly hallmarked under the current BIS standard carry a HUID.
- Ask for an itemised invoice. For a stone-set ring, look at the net precious-metal weight on the bill. The gross weight can include stones and other components.
Dhanteras Puja Timings on 6 November 2026
The evening puja window varies by city. Drik Panchang places it where Pradosh Kaal, the period after sunset, overlaps with a fixed ascendant during Trayodashi. In Delhi, the Trayodashi tithi continues until 10:47 am on 7 November, while the listed puja window falls on Friday evening. Shoppers following a separate buying muhurat can check the local calendar entry for that purpose.
| City | Dhanteras Puja Muhurat, IST |
| Delhi | 6:02 pm to 7:57 pm |
| Mumbai | 6:35 pm to 8:35 pm |
| Kolkata | 5:28 pm to 7:26 pm |
| Chennai | 6:14 pm to 8:10 pm |
| Bengaluru | 6:25 pm to 8:20 pm |
FAQs
Is buying gold compulsory on Dhanteras?
Gold is a customary purchase. Households that want to mark the occasion with a smaller purchase may bring home a brass bowl, clay diyas, or a new broom.
What does 925 mean on silver jewellery?
The mark 925 indicates a silver content of 925 parts per thousand, or 92.5%. On a BIS-hallmarked piece under the current standard, look for the HUID as well.
Do gold coins follow the same rules as jewellery?
BIS treats gold bullion and coins separately from jewellery. BIS-approved refineries and mints can hallmark gold coins of 995 or 999 fineness under the applicable scheme.
Can you get hallmarked jewellery tested after buying it?
A BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre can verify the purity of a hallmarked piece after purchase. Keep the invoice so you have the jeweller’s stated grade on record.
Is Dhanteras puja the same as Diwali Lakshmi puja?
Lakshmi is worshipped on both occasions. This year, Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November, while Drik Panchang lists the main Diwali Lakshmi Puja for Sunday, 8 November.
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