The Dhanteras pooja procedure is simpler than most families expect, yet a few small details decide whether the ritual feels rushed or truly auspicious. Dhanteras opens the five-day Diwali festival, and it honours three deities together: Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari. Millions of Telugu, Tamil, and North Indian households light lamps on this day to invite health and wealth. This guide walks you through every step, the correct 2026 muhurat, the samagri you need, and the mistakes that quietly spoil the puja.
Sri Vyasa Pooja is an independent devotional guide. We take no bookings or payments for this ritual, and muhurat timings shift by city, so always confirm your local window on an official panchang before you begin.
Dhanteras Pooja Procedure at a Glance
Here are the quick facts on the Dhanteras pooja procedure before we go deeper. Keep this list handy while you prepare your altar.
- Festival date: Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November 2026.
- Best puja time: Pradosh Kaal, the roughly two-hour window after sunset, when Sthir (Vrishabha) Lagna prevails.
- Deities worshipped: Ganesha first, then Lakshmi, Kubera, and Dhanvantari.
- Signature ritual: Yama Deepam, a south-facing lamp lit outside the home.
- Auspicious buys: gold, silver, brass or copper vessels, a broom, and coriander seeds.
What Is Dhanteras and Why the Pooja Matters
The word Dhanteras joins two ideas: “Dhan,” meaning wealth, and “Teras,” the thirteenth lunar day. So the festival lands on the thirteenth day (Trayodashi) of the dark fortnight of Kartik month. Because it begins Diwali, devotees treat it as the day to welcome prosperity home.
The day carries a deeper story from the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean. During that churning, Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, rose from the waters holding a pot of amrita, the nectar of immortality. Goddess Lakshmi also emerged around this time, which is why wealth and health are honoured together.
This dual meaning matters. Dhanteras is not only about money, since Dhanvantari reminds us that good health is the first true wealth. Many families therefore treat the day as a prayer for well-being, not just riches.
Dhanteras Pooja Procedure: 2026 Date and Muhurat
Dhanteras 2026 will be observed on Friday, 6 November 2026. The Trayodashi Tithi begins at 10:30 AM on 6 November and ends at 10:47 AM on 7 November, so the puja is performed on the evening of the 6th.
The best time for Lakshmi puja is Pradosh Kaal, the twilight window after sunset. During this period the fixed Vrishabha (Taurus) Lagna prevails, and tradition holds that wealth invited then stays in the home. Choghadiya muhurats are avoided for this puja, because they suit travel rather than worship.
Muhurat timings change with your city’s sunset, so use the window for your location. The table below lists the Pradosh Kaal puja window for major cities, based on Drik Panchang. Always cross-check your own city before the day itself.
| City | Pradosh Kaal Puja Window (6 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM |
| Mumbai | 6:35 PM to 8:35 PM |
| Chennai | 6:14 PM to 8:10 PM |
| Hyderabad | 6:15 PM to 8:13 PM |
| Bengaluru | 6:25 PM to 8:20 PM |
| Kolkata | 5:28 PM to 7:26 PM |
| Pune | 6:32 PM to 8:31 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 6:30 PM to 8:28 PM |
These windows are indicative and drawn from an authoritative panchang. Since local calculations differ slightly between almanacs, confirm the exact timing for your town on the day.
Samagri for the Dhanteras Pooja Procedure
Gather your samagri a day early so nothing sends you rushing at sunset. A calm setup makes the whole ritual smoother. Here is the practical checklist most households use.
- Idols or images of Lakshmi, Ganesha, Kubera, and Dhanvantari
- A clean chowki (low wooden platform) and a fresh red or yellow cloth
- Ghee and oil lamps (diyas), cotton wicks, and matchsticks
- Kumkum, haldi (turmeric), sandalwood paste, and akshata (rice mixed with kumkum)
- Fresh flowers, a garland, and mango or betel leaves
- Incense sticks, camphor, and a small bell
- Naivedya: sweets, fruits, and jaggery mixed with dry coriander seeds
- A kalash of water, a coconut, and the new gold, silver, or utensil you bought
Keep a broom nearby too, because many families worship a new broom as a symbol of Lakshmi. Once your tray is ready, you can move to the main Dhanteras pooja procedure.
Step-by-Step Dhanteras Pooja Procedure at Home
The complete Dhanteras pooja procedure runs in a clear sequence: clean, invoke Ganesha, worship Lakshmi and Kubera, honour Dhanvantari, then close with aarti. Follow the steps below in order, and keep your mind calm and grateful throughout.
Step 1: Clean and Prepare the Space
Bathe early and wear fresh clothes before you start. Clean the puja room and the main entrance thoroughly, since Lakshmi enters only a tidy home. Draw a rangoli at the doorway, and mark small footprints leading inward to welcome the goddess.
Step 2: Set Up the Altar
Place the chowki and spread the red or yellow cloth. Arrange the idols with Ganesha on the right, then Lakshmi, Kubera, and Dhanvantari beside him. Set the kalash, the coconut, and your new purchases before the deities so they receive the blessings too.
Step 3: Invoke Lord Ganesha First
Light a ghee lamp and an incense stick. Offer flowers and akshata to Ganesha, because every Hindu ritual begins with him to remove obstacles. Chant “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha” a few times with folded hands.
Step 4: Worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera
Apply kumkum and haldi to the idols, then offer flowers, sweets, and the new items you purchased. Light thirteen diyas around the altar, matching the Trayodashi (thirteenth) tithi. Chant “Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namaha” for Lakshmi and a Kubera mantra such as “Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Shreem Kuberaya Namaha” to seek stable wealth.
Step 5: Honour Lord Dhanvantari for Health
Now turn to Dhanvantari, the deity of Ayurveda and healing. Offer tulsi leaves and a little naivedya, then chant the Dhanvantari mantra: “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye Amrita Kalasha Hastaya Sarva Amaya Vinashanaya Trailokya Nathaya Sri Maha Vishnave Namaha.” This prayer traditionally invokes health and healing for the whole family.
Step 6: Offer Naivedya and Perform Aarti
Present the sweets, fruits, and the jaggery-coriander mixture as naivedya. Then light the camphor and perform aarti for all the deities while ringing the bell. Finally, distribute the prasad among family members, and share it with neighbours if you can.
Yama Deepam in the Dhanteras Pooja Procedure
Yama Deepam is a distinct ritual performed on the same evening as the wealth puja. Families light a lamp for Yama, the lord of death, and place it facing south outside the home to seek protection from untimely death. It is a short but meaningful part of the day.
Take a four-wick or single mustard-oil lamp after sunset. Light it, and set it at the main door or in the courtyard so the flame faces south. While the wealth puja invites Lakshmi, this lamp guards the household, so many elders consider it essential. You can read more on the ritual through the Drik Panchang Yama Deepam page.
What to Buy on Dhanteras and What to Avoid
Buying something new is central to Dhanteras, because each purchase symbolises incoming prosperity. Gold and silver top the list, yet even a small brass vessel or a broom counts. The idea is intent, not expense.
Certain items are traditionally avoided, though these customs vary by region. The quick guide below sums up the common beliefs. Treat them as tradition rather than strict rules.
| Considered auspicious | Usually avoided |
|---|---|
| Gold and silver coins or jewellery | Iron items (linked with Shani) |
| Brass and copper utensils | Sharp objects like knives or scissors |
| A new broom (symbol of Lakshmi) | Glass articles, in many traditions |
| Coriander seeds and Gomti chakra | Empty vessels (fill them with rice or water) |
If you buy gold, note that prices swing daily, so check the current rate before you shop. Dhanteras shares this gold-buying spirit with another festival, and you can compare the customs in our guide to Akshaya Tritiya pooja and its significance.
Common Mistakes in the Dhanteras Pooja Procedure
Even devoted families slip on small points, and these errors circulate widely online. Correcting them is where the real value of a careful Dhanteras pooja procedure lies. Watch for the six mistakes below.
- Trusting the wrong date. A few sites list Dhanteras 2026 in October by copying stale 2025 data. The verified date is Friday, 6 November 2026.
- Using a Choghadiya muhurat. Choghadiya suits travel, not this puja. Perform it during Pradosh Kaal instead.
- Buying empty vessels. Fill any new pot with rice, water, or sweets before bringing it in, since an empty vessel is seen as inauspicious.
- Skipping Yama Deepam. Many treat Dhanteras as only a Lakshmi puja, yet the south-facing lamp is a core part of the evening.
- Confusing it with main Lakshmi Puja. Dhanteras worship is preliminary; the principal Lakshmi Puja falls two days later on Diwali Amavasya.
- Chasing expensive gold only. Devotion, not the price tag, defines the day, so a modest coin serves just as well.
For the Amavasya rituals that follow within the same week, our guide to the Kedara Gowri Vratam procedure explains that observance in detail.
Health, Safety, and Devotional Notes
Some devotees fast from morning until the evening puja, while others eat normally. Fasting is optional here, so listen to your body. If you are elderly, pregnant, diabetic, or on regular medication, please consult a doctor before observing any fast.
Lamp safety deserves a word too, because a Dhanteras altar can hold more than a dozen flames. Keep diyas away from curtains, clothing, and children, and never leave them burning unattended. A steady, watchful setup keeps the celebration joyful.
One gentle reminder on faith: the Dhanvantari prayer is a devotional tradition for well-being, not a medical treatment. So honour the ritual for its meaning, and continue any prescribed care as usual. Those seeking deeper wealth-and-protection prayers may also explore our note on the Lakshmi Narasimha Homam and its significance.
Dhanteras Pooja Procedure: Final Reminders
A meaningful Dhanteras pooja procedure rests on three simple pillars: a clean home, the correct Pradosh Kaal timing, and a grateful heart. Prepare your samagri early, worship Ganesha before the others, and remember Yama Deepam once the wealth puja ends. Keep your intent sincere, since tradition values devotion far above the cost of any offering. For the most accurate 2026 muhurat in your city, verify the window on the official Drik Panchang Dhanteras page before you begin.
Dhanteras Pooja Procedure: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct Dhanteras pooja procedure at home?
The Dhanteras pooja procedure at home begins as you clean the space, set up the altar, and invoke Ganesha first. Then worship Lakshmi and Kubera with flowers, sweets, and thirteen diyas, honour Dhanvantari for health, and close with aarti. Finally, light the south-facing Yama Deepam outside.
What time should Dhanteras puja be done in 2026?
Perform it during Pradosh Kaal on the evening of 6 November 2026, roughly the two hours after sunset. In New Delhi the window is about 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM, though it varies by city, so check your local panchang.
Which gods are worshipped on Dhanteras?
Dhanteras honours Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari together. Ganesha is invoked first, as in every Hindu ritual. Lakshmi and Kubera represent wealth, while Dhanvantari represents health.
What should I buy on Dhanteras?
Gold, silver, and brass or copper utensils are the most popular buys. A new broom and coriander seeds are also auspicious. Many families avoid iron and sharp objects on this day.
Is fasting necessary for Dhanteras?
No, fasting is optional on Dhanteras. Some devotees fast until the evening puja, while others do not. Anyone with a medical condition should consult a doctor first.
Why is a lamp placed facing south on Dhanteras?
That lamp is the Yama Deepam, offered to Yama, the lord of death. Devotees light it facing south outside the home to seek protection from untimely death. It is a traditional part of the Dhanteras evening.
Is Dhanteras the same as Diwali Lakshmi Puja?
No, they are different days. Dhanteras opens the five-day festival with a preliminary wealth puja. The main Lakshmi Puja takes place two days later on Diwali Amavasya.
