Festivals · 2026
Dhanteras 2026: Friday, 6 November 2026
Dhanteras in 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November 2026. Computed for Delhi (IST) from the drik-ganit panchang, by the rule: krishna trayodashi tithi prevailing at sunset. Abhijit Muhurat runs 11:43 AM – 12:26 PM IST.
The date
Friday, 6 November 2026
Abhijit Muhurat (shubh for all works) 11:43 AM – 12:26 PM IST
Rule: Krishna Trayodashi tithi prevailing at sunset
Reference city: Delhi (IST)
Shubh muhurat windows
Purchases are classically timed to the day's shubh spans — the Abhijit Muhurat above for the day, and the evening pradosh for the Lakshmi-Yama puja. Vehicle and property bookings timed to Dhanteras should still clear the day's Rahu Kaal.
| Window | Time (IST) | City |
|---|---|---|
| Abhijit Muhurat (shubh for all works) | 11:43 AM – 12:26 PM | Delhi |
The Abhijit Muhurat is the midday window most digests treat as universally auspicious — Wednesdays excepted (what it is and why). Windows are computed for Delhi; your city's exact span shifts with local sunrise — check the city panchang or the Bela app.
What does Dhanteras celebrate?
Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi), the thirteenth tithi of Kartik's dark half, opens the five days of Diwali. Dhanvantari, physician of the gods, rose with the pot of amrita on this day; households buy metal — gold, silver, utensils, vehicles — and light the first diya for Yama at dusk.
The story and significance of Dhanteras
The thirteenth tithi of the dark half would ordinarily be inauspicious — but Dhanteras redeems it: the samudra manthan brought forth Dhanvantari with the amrita, and buying new metal on the day is the year's most observed purchasing custom.
The evening Yama deepam — a lamp lit outside the door for the god of death — is the day's protective rite, and the bazaars stay open past midnight for the buying rush.
Dhanteras dates by year
| Year | Date | Day | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 November 2026 | Friday | This page |
| 2027 | 27 October 2027 | Wednesday | Dhanteras 2027 → |
Frequently asked questions
When is Dhanteras in 2026?
Dhanteras in 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November 2026. The date is computed for Delhi from the rule: krishna trayodashi tithi prevailing at sunset.
What does Dhanteras celebrate?
Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi), the thirteenth tithi of Kartik's dark half, opens the five days of Diwali. Dhanvantari, physician of the gods, rose with the pot of amrita on this day; households buy metal — gold, silver, utensils, vehicles — and light the first diya for Yama at dusk.
What is the shubh muhurat on Dhanteras 2026?
The computed windows for 6 November 2026 (Delhi): Abhijit Muhurat — 11:43 AM to 12:26 PM IST. Purchases are classically timed to the day's shubh spans — the Abhijit Muhurat above for the day, and the evening pradosh for the Lakshmi-Yama puja. Vehicle and property bookings timed to Dhanteras should still clear the day's Rahu Kaal.
Does the Dhanteras date change from city to city?
Yes, it can. Dhanteras is fixed by a tithi prevailing at a specific moment — sunrise, noon, sunset or midnight — and that moment is local. Moving west or east across longitudes can push the prevailing tithi across a civil-date boundary, so Mumbai, Kolkata or New York can observe a day apart from Delhi. Smarta and Vaishnava traditions also differ on some fasting days. The date above follows the popular North-Indian convention for Delhi; the Bela app recomputes for your exact location.
When is Dhanteras in 2027?
Dhanteras in 2027 falls on Wednesday, 27 October 2027. Full windows and notes are on the Dhanteras 2027 page, linked below.
Related
Every festival, computed the same honest way.
Exact dates, muhurat windows and the classical rule behind each one — for your own city, not just Delhi.
