Dhanteras (धनतेरस) is a festival falling in the Hindu lunar month of कार्तिक. Its position is fixed by tithi rather than by the Gregorian calendar, so the date moves every year and is computed from the panchang. No fast is prescribed for the day. The observance itself, and its puja vidhi, stay the same each year.
Dhanteras
धनतेरस
Hindu month: कार्तिक
Panchang Basis (Tithi Rule)
Each year this observance falls on the Trayodashi tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartika. Because lunar tithis drift against the Gregorian calendar, the English date shifts every year — the tithi rule above is what stays fixed.
Months here are named the Purnimanta way, as in North Indian panchangs, where a month ends on Purnima. Amanta calendars (Maharashtra, Gujarat and most of South India) end a month on Amavasya, so they call this same fortnight Ashvina Krishna Paksha; the date is the same.
About This Festival
Festival of wealth — buy gold, silver, utensils for prosperity
धन का त्योहार — सोना, चांदी, बर्तन खरीदें
Significance
Marks the beginning of five-day Diwali celebrations. Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, emerged from the ocean with Amrit on this day during Samudra Manthan. Yama (death) is also worshipped — light a diya facing south.
Puja Vidhi (How to Observe)
Clean and decorate the house. Buy gold, silver, or new utensils. Light 13 diyas in the evening. Worship Lord Dhanvantari (god of Ayurveda) and Goddess Lakshmi. Place new purchases before the puja altar.
Regional Names
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Dhanteras celebrated?
Dhanteras is celebrated on Friday, 6 November 2026 and on Wednesday, 27 October 2027. The date changes each year because it follows the Hindu lunar calendar (Panchang) — every date here is computed from real planetary positions using the Swiss Ephemeris engine, not copied from a fixed list.
Is Dhanteras a fasting (vrat) day?
Dhanteras is not primarily a fasting day, though many families still keep a light fast or a sattvic diet as part of the observance.
Your full reading unlocks
Ranked shubh windows for your purpose
Choghadiya, Abhijit & the times to avoid
Your sankalp & remedy timing
Tap to unlock ↓
Premium Report
Why does a public shubh time still feel wrong for you?
A public choghadiya is only the outer layer. Get a personal Muhurat Report that reads your purpose, city, Moon sign, dasha, and panchang together.
- Your full Muhurat reading
- Instant PDF + on-page reading
- Secure Razorpay checkout
Calculated with Swiss Ephemeris on the Lahiri ayanamsa - the same method a traditional Jyotishi follows.
Birth details come first. Checkout opens after the chart has the inputs needed for your report.
Was this helpful?