What is the best time to buy gold on Dhanteras 2026 in Kolkata?

The most auspicious windows for buying gold and silver on Friday, November 6, 2026 are: Morning Shubha Muhurat (6:45 AM to 10:30 AM), Afternoon Labha Muhurat (12:15 PM to 2:45 PM), and the prime Evening Amrita Muhurat (5:40 PM to 8:50 PM IST).

Why is Yamadeepdaan performed on Dhanteras?

Yamadeepdaan is performed by lighting a four-wick oil lamp facing South outside the main threshold at sunset to honor Yamaraj, the God of Death, praying to shield family members from untimely accidents and premature death.

What are the most lucky items to buy on Dhanteras?

Purchasing gold ornaments, silver coins with Lakshmi-Ganesh engraving, brass (Pital) or copper utensils, a new grass broom (Jhadu), Gomti Chakra, and Kauri shells brings immense luck and financial growth.

What items should you never buy on Dhanteras?

One should avoid buying iron items, sharp cutlery like knives or scissors, glassware, empty utensils, and black-colored items, as they are considered astrologically inauspicious on Dhanteras.

Who is worshipped on Dhanteras?

Lord Dhanvantari (the father of Ayurveda and divine physician of gods), Goddess Mahalakshmi (deity of wealth), and Lord Kuber (celestial treasurer) are worshipped together on Dhanteras.

Why do people buy a new broom (Jhadu) on Dhanteras?

In Hindu tradition, a broom is regarded as the physical embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi because it sweeps out dirt, negative energy, and poverty (Alakshmi) from the household, making way for prosperity.

Is Dhanteras a public holiday in West Bengal?

Dhanteras is not an official gazetted government holiday in West Bengal, but commercial markets, jewelry houses, and trade establishments observe extended business hours with enormous festive sales.

Dhanteras 2026(ধনতেরাস ২০২৬)

Q: What is the exact date of Dhanteras in 2026?

Dhanteras 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, November 6, 2026 (corresponding to 21 Kartik 1433 Bangabda in the Bengali Panjika), on the Trayodashi tithi of Krishna Paksha.

Dhanatrayodashi • ধনত্রয়োদশী1433 Bengali Panjika • Verified Dates & Timings

Dhanteras 2026 — gold buying rituals and glowing diyas

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About Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi)

উৎসব পরিচিতি

Dhanteras 2026 (ধনতেরাস ২০২৬), also reverently celebrated as Dhanatrayodashi, will take place on Friday, November 6, 2026 (corresponding to 21 Kartik 1433 Bangabda in the Bengali Panjika). It marks the auspicious opening day of the five-day Diwali festive period across India and is celebrated with magnificent pomp in Kolkata, Howrah, Asansol, Siliguri, and throughout West Bengal.

The word Dhanteras is formed from "Dhan" (wealth and prosperity) and "Teras" (the thirteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight, Kartik Krishna Paksha Trayodashi). According to ancient Hindu scriptures, on this sacred day, Lord Dhanvantari—the divine physician of the gods and the founding father of Ayurveda—manifested from the cosmic churning of the milk ocean (Samudra Manthan), holding a pot of celestial nectar (Amrita Kalash) and sacred healing scriptures. Simultaneously, Goddess Mahalakshmi and Lord Kuber, the celestial treasurer of wealth, are worshipped to invite abundance and good fortune.

A hallmark tradition of Dhanteras is purchasing new metal items, especially gold jewelry, silver coins, and brass or copper cooking utensils, during auspicious astrological Muhurats. Bringing new metal home on Dhanatrayodashi is believed to invite eternal prosperity, protect against financial misfortune, and multiply wealth thirteenfold. In the evening at sunset, families light earthen lamps facing south for Yamadeepdaan, praying to Lord Yama to shield all family members from untoward accidents and untimely death.

History:

The historical and mythological significance of Dhanteras is deeply rooted in sacred Puranic chronicles:

Manifestation of Lord Dhanvantari (Samudra Manthan): During the epic churning of the cosmic ocean between the Devas and Asuras, Lord Dhanvantari emerged on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi carrying the Amrita Kalash (nectar of immortality), conch shell, leech (Jalauka), and Ayurvedic texts. Because he brought the science of health and natural healing to humanity, the Government of India celebrates Dhanteras nationally as National Ayurveda Day.

The Legend of King Hima's Son & Yamadeepdaan: Astrologers predicted that the sixteen-year-old son of King Hima would die of a fatal snakebite on the fourth night of his marriage. His clever young bride resolved to save his life. On that fateful evening, she laid out all their gold ornaments, silver coins, and shining brass utensils in a massive gleaming pile at the chamber door, illuminated the entire palace with hundreds of clay diyas, and kept her husband awake by reciting devotional stories and singing melodious songs. When Lord Yama arrived in the guise of a deadly serpent, the dazzling brilliance of the gold and flickering lamps blinded his eyes. Unable to enter, Yama sat upon the heap of gold coins all night, listening to the divine hymns, and quietly retreated at dawn without taking the prince's soul. Thus, the sacred ritual of buying metal and lighting the south-facing Yama Deepa on Dhanteras was born.

Significance:

Auspicious 2026 Timings & Shubh Muhurat (সূর্যসিদ্ধান্ত ও বিশুদ্ধ পঞ্জিকা):

Date: Friday, November 6, 2026 (বাংলা ২১ কার্তিক ১৪৩৩ বঙ্গাব্দ)
Trayodashi Tithi Begins: Friday early morning (06:12 AM IST)
Trayodashi Tithi Concludes: Saturday morning (07:48 AM IST, Nov 7)
Dhanteras Puja Muhurat (Pradosh Kal): 05:42 PM to 07:38 PM IST (Ideal window for household Lakshmi-Kuber and Dhanvantari worship)
Best Muhurat for Buying Gold & Utensils (Choghadiya Timings Kolkata):
Morning Shubha Muhurat: 06:45 AM to 10:30 AM IST (Best for bullion and jewelry)
Afternoon Labha Muhurat: 12:15 PM to 02:45 PM IST (Excellent for brass, copper, and home appliances)
Evening Amrita Muhurat (Highest Benefit): 05:40 PM to 08:50 PM IST
Yamadeepdaan Timing: 05:15 PM to 06:30 PM IST (Place a four-wick mustard oil lamp outside the main entrance facing South).

Complete Buying Guide: What to Buy & What to Avoid:

7 Highly Auspicious Items to Buy:

Gold jewelry, coins, or gold bullion (symbol of eternal wealth).
Silver coins embossed with Lakshmi-Ganesh motifs.
Brass utensils (Pital) for the kitchen and puja room.
Copper water dispensers or kalash (Tamba) for radiant health.
Gomti Chakra and Kauri shells for the cash locker.
A new grass broom (Jhadu), symbolizing the sweeping out of poverty (Daridra Narayan) from the home.
Electronic appliances, vehicles, and business tools.

5 Items Strictly to Avoid:

Iron and steel utensils (associated with Rahu and Saturn).
Sharp cutting tools like knives, scissors, or blades.
Glassware or ceramic products (fragile and astrologically unstable).
Black-colored garments or items.
Empty containers (always fill newly bought utensils with rice, sweets, or water before bringing them into the kitchen).

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Shubh Muhurat Metal Shopping — Visiting gold jewelers and utensil shops during the auspicious Choghadiya Muhurat to buy gold, silver, brass, or copper items for the household.

Lord Dhanvantari Health Puja — Cleansing the altar and offering yellow marigold flowers, fresh tulsi leaves, chandan, panchamrit, and fruits to Lord Dhanvantari to pray for disease-free living.

Lakshmi-Kuber Wealth Consecration — Placing newly purchased coins and gold ornaments on a red silk cloth, chanting the sacred Kuber Mantra (*Om Hreem Shreem Kreem Shreem Kuberaya Ashta-Lakshmi Mama Grihe Dhanam Kuru Kuru Swaha*), and offering batasha.

Yamadeepdaan (Lamp of Longevity) — After sunset, the eldest female family member lights an unbaked four-wick earthen diya filled with mustard oil, placing it outside the main doorway facing South to honor Yamaraj.

Broom (Jhadu) Veneration — Bringing a new grass broom home on Dhanteras morning, applying turmeric and vermilion tilak, and using it to sweep the threshold as a symbol of banishing Alakshmi.

Drawing Prosperity Rangoli — Adorning the home entrance with vibrant rice flour motifs, lotus patterns, and footprints of Goddess Lakshmi pointing inward toward the house.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Panchamrit — The sacred five-nectar blend of raw cow milk, yogurt, honey, raw sugar, and pure desi ghee offered to Lord Dhanvantari.

Atta Halwa / Lapsi — Rich, slow-roasted whole wheat flour confection cooked in pure cow ghee and infused with cardamom, saffron, and crushed almonds.

Boondi Ladoo — Golden pearls of gram flour deep-fried in ghee, steeped in fragrant saffron sugar syrup, and molded into auspicious spherical laddoos.

Kheer (Gobindobhog Rice Pudding) — Fragrant short-grain Gobindobhog rice slow-simmered in whole milk, sweetened with rock sugar and garnished with pistachios and raisins.

Dry Fruits Platter — Roasted cashews, California almonds, raisins, and walnuts distributed as auspicious prasad to guests and neighbors.

Mathri & Namkeen — Crisp, savory crackers spiced with ajwain and black pepper, served alongside hot tea during festive Dhanteras family gatherings.