Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November, two days before Diwali. It is the one day of the year when buying gold, silver, utensils or a new appliance is considered auspicious, and it is also the day most people overspend. This guide covers what to buy on Dhanteras 2026 at every budget, what to avoid, the muhurat timings, and how to check gold and stack offers so you pay the lowest real price.
Dhanteras 2026 date and shubh muhurat
Dhanteras (also called Dhanatrayodashi) is celebrated on the Trayodashi tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. It marks the start of the five-day Diwali festival and is also observed as Dhanvantari Jayanti.
| What | Timing (New Delhi, IST) |
|---|---|
| Dhanteras date | Friday, 6 November 2026 |
| Trayodashi tithi | Approx. 9:00 PM on 5 Nov to 9:17 PM on 6 Nov |
| Dhanteras puja muhurat | Approx. 5:35 PM to 7:30 PM on 6 Nov (within Pradosh Kaal) |
| Yama Deepam | Evening of 6 Nov, after sunset |
| Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
Muhurat timings differ by a few minutes from city to city and between panchangs. Confirm the exact time for your city with a local panchang or priest.
What to buy on Dhanteras 2026: 8 auspicious things
You do not need to buy gold to celebrate Dhanteras. The tradition is about bringing something new and lasting into the home. These are the most common Dhanteras purchases, from the most traditional to the most practical.
1. Gold coins, bars or jewellery
Gold is the classic Dhanteras buy. For investment, choose coins or bars, which carry lower making charges than jewellery and are easier to resell. Jewellery makes sense only if you will actually wear it.
2. Silver coins and pooja items
Silver gives you the same tradition at a much lower ticket size. A 10g silver coin with Lakshmi-Ganesh motifs, a silver diya or a small pooja bowl are popular choices. Silver hallmarking with HUID is available, so ask for hallmarked silver wherever you can.
3. Brass, copper or steel utensils
New utensils are among the most traditional Dhanteras purchases. Brass and copper are preferred, and stainless steel is the practical everyday choice. Fill any new vessel with water, rice or grain before you bring it home, as many families consider an empty vessel unlucky.
Shop utensils: Milton and Borosil for bottles, casseroles and storage, and Wonderchef for cookware sets.
4. A new broom (jhadu)
The broom is linked to Goddess Lakshmi and to sweeping away poverty and negativity. It is the cheapest auspicious Dhanteras purchase and the easiest to buy locally on the day.
5. Whole coriander seeds (dhaniya)
Whole coriander seeds are offered during the Dhanteras puja and later sown in a pot or garden. In many homes they are kept with the family's savings as a symbol of growth.
6. Lakshmi-Ganesh idol and pooja essentials
If you need a new idol for the Diwali puja, Dhanteras is the traditional day to buy it. Add a pooja thali, kalash, gomti chakra and diyas so everything is ready for Lakshmi Puja on Sunday.
7. Kitchen and home appliances
Mixer grinders, air fryers, water purifiers, refrigerators and washing machines are now common Dhanteras buys. Exchange offers plus festive bank discounts make this one of the better times of the year to buy large appliances.
Compare appliance deals: Havells, AGARO, Croma, Reliance Digital and Vijay Sales.
8. Electronics and vehicles
Many families book a smartphone, laptop, two-wheeler or car to take delivery on Dhanteras. If you are buying electronics, compare the effective price after bank offers on Amazon and Flipkart, and check Cashify before you accept an exchange price for your old phone.
Dhanteras shopping list by budget
Use this table to pick the right Dhanteras purchase for your budget. Every row is considered auspicious, so there is no need to stretch beyond what you planned.
| Budget | Traditional pick | Practical pick |
|---|---|---|
| Under ₹1,000 | Broom, coriander seeds, clay diyas, gomti chakra | Steel glass, bowl or plate set |
| ₹1,000 – ₹5,000 | 10g silver coin, brass or copper kalash, idol | Steel or copper bottle set, pooja thali |
| ₹5,000 – ₹25,000 | 1g–2g gold coin, silver utensils | Cookware set, mixer grinder, air fryer, water purifier |
| ₹25,000+ | Gold jewellery, larger gold coins or bars | Refrigerator, washing machine, smartphone, two-wheeler |
Gold buying checklist for Dhanteras
Gold is where a mistake costs the most. Run through these checks at the counter or before you place an online order.
- BIS hallmark and 6-digit HUID. Hallmarking is mandatory for gold jewellery in most districts, and every piece carries a unique HUID. Verify it in the BIS CARE app before you pay.
- Purity mark. 22K jewellery is marked 22K916 and 18K is marked 18K750. Investment coins and bars are usually 24K (999 or 995).
- Making charge as a percentage. Ask for it in writing. A "0% making charge" offer often comes with a higher gold rate or a lighter design.
- Rate per gram. Compare the day's board rate with the rate printed on your bill, and check one or two other jewellers on the same day.
- GST invoice. It should show weight, purity, rate, making charge, GST and HUID. You will need it for exchange or resale.
What not to buy on Dhanteras
These are traditional beliefs rather than rules, but many families follow them. If you do, keep these off your Dhanteras shopping list.
- Sharp objects: knives, scissors and other cutting tools.
- Iron items: many prefer steel, brass, copper or silver instead.
- Black-coloured items: black clothes or décor are usually avoided on festive days.
- Empty vessels: fill new utensils with water, rice or grain before bringing them home.
- Glass and ceramic: linked with fragility, so metal is preferred.
Best Dhanteras offers: how to pay less
Dhanteras offers are spread across jewellers, marketplaces and appliance stores. The biggest saving rarely comes from one discount. It comes from stacking several in the right order.
- Sale price: check the 30–90 day price history so you know the discount is real.
- Coupon code: apply a code from our verified coupons list. If it fails, check the minimum order value and expiry, then try the next one.
- Bank or card offer: festive instant discounts often need a minimum spend and may apply only to EMI transactions.
- Cashback or rewards: UPI, wallet or credit card rewards recover a few more percent.
Your Dhanteras 2026 checklist
- Fix a budget before you step into a jeweller or open an app
- Buy within the Trayodashi tithi on 6 November if you follow muhurat
- Verify the BIS hallmark and HUID on gold and silver
- Get the making charge and gold rate in writing
- Apply a verified coupon and bank offer before you pay
- Keep the GST invoice for gold, electronics and appliances
Frequently asked questions
When is Dhanteras 2026?
Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, 6 November 2026. The puja muhurat in New Delhi is roughly 5:35 PM to 7:30 PM, and Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) follows on Sunday, 8 November.
What is the best thing to buy on Dhanteras?
Gold or silver coins are the most popular choice for investment. Brass, copper or steel utensils, a new broom and whole coriander seeds are traditional, affordable alternatives.
Can I buy gold online on Dhanteras?
Yes. Buy only from the jeweller's official website or app, check that the product listing shows hallmark and HUID details, and keep the invoice. Online orders need extra time to deliver, so place them a few days in advance or choose in-store pickup.
What should not be bought on Dhanteras?
By tradition, many families avoid sharp objects, iron items, black-coloured items, glass or ceramic, and empty vessels on Dhanteras.
Is it auspicious to buy a broom on Dhanteras?
Yes. A new broom is considered auspicious on Dhanteras because it is linked to Goddess Lakshmi and to clearing away negativity from the home.
Gold rates and festive offers change every day. Check our latest coupons and all stores for codes verified today, and read our Diwali 2026 shopping guide for what to buy on the rest of the festival. Happy Dhanteras!
