Millions of households across India are preparing to mark the grand beginning of the Diwali festival season with Dhanteras which will be celebrated on Friday November 6 2026. Also known as Dhantrayodashi the festival falls on the 13th lunar day of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Kartik.
The day holds deep spiritual significance as devotees worship Lord Dhanvantari the god of medicine and health alongside Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber to seek health wealth and general prosperity for their families. Vedic astrologers state that the primary puja mahurat on November 6 runs from 6.02 PM to 7.57 PM during the auspicious Pradosh Kaal.
According to sacred Hindu mythology Lord Dhanvantari emerged from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) on this day carrying a pot of divine nectar (Amrit) to grant good health to mankind. Another popular legend tells the story of a clever young bride who saved her husband from the Lord of Death Yamraj by piling glittery gold coins and lamps at the bedroom door to blind the divine serpent.
Continuing long standing cultural traditions millions of shoppers will head out to buy gold silver brass utensils and new household items as bringing metal home on this day is believed to attract good luck. In the evening families will light a special four wick lamp called the Yama Deep outside their main door facing south to pray for protection against untimely harm.
