Dhanteras 2027

Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November in 2026 and on Wednesday, 27 October in 2027. It opens the five days of Diwali on the thirteenth day (trayodashi) of the dark half of Kartik. The name joins “dhan” (wealth) and “teras” (thirteenth). It honours Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, who rose from the churning of the ocean holding the pot of amrit, along with Lakshmi and Kubera, and it is the traditional day to buy gold, silver and new utensils.

Dhanteras 2027 date

Dhanteras 2027 is on Wednesday, 27 October 2027 (Kartik Krishna Trayodashi), followed by Naraka Chaturdashi on 28 October and Lakshmi Puja on 29 October. Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, 6 November 2026. The puja is done in the evening pradosh kaal; check a local panchang for the muhurat.

Why Dhanteras is celebrated

The Puranas tell how, during the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean of milk by the gods and asuras, Dhanvantari emerged carrying the pot of amrit, the nectar of immortality. He is honoured as the god of Ayurveda, which is why the day is also observed in India as National Ayurveda Day. Lakshmi also rose from the same churning, linking the day to prosperity.

A popular folk tale tells of the young son of King Hima, fated to die of snakebite on the fourth night of his marriage. His wife laid her gold and silver at the door, lit lamps everywhere and kept him awake with stories and songs. When Yama came as a serpent, he was dazzled by the light and left at dawn. From this comes the Yama Deepam, a lamp lit facing south on Dhanteras night. Read more in the story and meaning of Dhanteras.

How Dhanteras is observed

• Buying metal: gold, silver, coins or new brass and steel utensils are bought as a sign of prosperity.
• Dhanvantari puja for health, and Lakshmi and Kubera puja for wealth, in the evening.
• Yama Deepam: a four-wick lamp of dough or clay is lit outside, facing south, to ward off untimely death.
• Cleaning and rangoli: homes are cleaned and decorated, with small footprints drawn to welcome Lakshmi.

The meaning of Dhanteras

Dhanteras holds wealth and health together: Dhanvantari’s amrit and Lakshmi’s prosperity both rose from the same ocean. Its blessings are described as tradition holds them. Next comes Naraka Chaturdashi. See the whole year on the Hindu festival calendar.

Frequently asked questions