धनतेरस
Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi)
The first day of Diwali, on Krishna paksha Trayodashi, when families worship Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kubera and light a lamp for Yama.
Shown for Chicago; choose your city at the top of the page.
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| Friday, November 6, 2026 | Dhanteras |
| Tuesday, October 26, 2027 | Dhanteras |
| Sunday, October 15, 2028 | Dhanteras |
About
Dhanteras opens the five days of Diwali. It falls on the thirteenth day, Trayodashi, of the dark half of Kartika in the Purnimanta calendar. In the Amanta calendar used in Gujarat, Maharashtra and the South, this is Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi. It is the same day; only the month name differs.
Dhan means wealth and teras means thirteenth. The day is also called Dhanatrayodashi, and in Ayurvedic circles, Dhanvantari Jayanti.
The puja is held in the evening during Pradosh Kala, the period after sunset, and the site shows the muhurat for your city. If Trayodashi spans two evenings, the one covering Pradosh is usually chosen.
Significance and stories
According to the Puranas, Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, emerged from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) holding a pot of amrit, the nectar of immortality. He is honoured as the god of Ayurveda, and many Ayurvedic practitioners worship him on this day, praying for health. Health is called the first wealth.
The day is also linked with Lakshmi and Kubera, the guardian of wealth. Lakshmi is welcomed in preparation for Diwali.
A well-known story tells of a young prince whose life was foretold to end by a snake bite on the fourth day after his marriage. His wife covered the doorway with lamps, gold and silver, and sang through the night. Yama, the god of death, was dazzled and left without taking him. This is the origin of Yama Deepam.
How to observe (puja vidhi)
- Clean the home and decorate the entrance with rangoli and flowers.
- In the evening, in the Pradosh muhurat, set up a clean seat with images of Dhanvantari, Lakshmi, Ganesha and Kubera.
- Light a lamp and offer flowers, incense and rice. Offer sweets and fruit.
- Worship the new metal item you have bought, or your existing coins, gold or utensils, with kumkum and flowers.
- Recite a Lakshmi or Kubera stotra or a Dhanvantari mantra. Ask a priest or elder to guide pronunciation.
- Offer aarti and distribute prasad.
- After sunset, light a Yama Deepam: a clay lamp with sesame or mustard oil, placed outside the home or at the doorway facing south. Pray for the family's protection from untimely harm.
Puja items (samagri)
- Pictures or idols of Dhanvantari, Lakshmi, Ganesha, Kubera
- Silver or gold coins, a new utensil, or other metal item
- Flowers, kumkum, turmeric, rice, incense, camphor
- Diyas, ghee or sesame oil, cotton wicks
- Sweets, fruits, batasha (sugar drops), dhaniya (coriander seeds) with jaggery in some regions
Fasting and food
There is no strict fast. Light vegetarian food and sweets are eaten after the puja. In Maharashtra, a mixture of crushed coriander seeds and jaggery is offered as naivedya. In parts of South India, a lehyam, or herbal paste, is prepared and eaten on or around this day.
Regional customs
Many Gujarati and Marwari trading families buy new account books around Dhanteras for the Chopda Pujan on Diwali. In Maharashtra, Dhanteras is paired with the worship of cows and calves (Vasu Baras, the day before, in some regions). In South India, Dhanvantari Jayanti is marked in Ayurvedic temples. Whether the day is auspicious for buying iron or vehicles varies. Traditions vary; follow your family's custom or your priest's guidance.
Celebrating in the USA
Dhanteras often falls on a workday. A small evening puja after work, within the Pradosh window shown on this site, is enough. Indian jewellers, stores and online shops offer silver coins, small brass items and puja kits; a kitchen utensil from any store also works. Buy only what you can afford.
Place the Yama Deepam on your balcony, porch or at the door, in a safe holder away from railings and doormats. In apartments where open flames are not permitted, use an electric lamp or a lamp in a protected glass holder. Remember the building's smoke alarm and fire rules. The site displays the Trayodashi tithi and the Pradosh time for your city.
Do
- Buy something modest and metallic, such as a small utensil, a coin, or a spoon. Even a small item counts.
- Clean and polish old silver, brass and copper.
- Set up lamps at the entrance of the home after dark.
- Offer Yama Deepam safely, with a steady holder.
- Take a moment to think about health and gratitude as well as wealth.
- Do the puja in the Pradosh muhurat shown for your city.
- Give some money or food to charity.
Don't
- Do not overspend, borrow heavily, or buy beyond your means. The tradition values a small, sincere purchase.
- Do not buy iron, glass or sharp items if your family avoids them on this day; this is a family custom, not a universal rule.
- Do not lend money on the day if your family avoids it; this is a folk custom and varies.
- Do not leave burning lamps near curtains or paper.
- Do not make financial promises of any kind based on the day.
- Do not neglect to eat or rest while preparing.
Related
Customs differ between families, regions and traditions. This page describes common practice; follow your family’s tradition and your priest’s guidance.