- Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026; puja muhurat 6:02–7:57 PM in New Delhi (Drik Panchang).
- Gold jewellery demand fell nearly 30% at Dhanteras 2025 as prices rose over 60% in a year (IBJA via Reuters, 19 Oct 2025).
- No ritual requires gold; a broom, coriander seeds and a lamp are traditional too.
- A two-part Dhanteras: honour the shagun, then wear gold-plated jewellery (imitation, not real gold, not an investment).
- Pieces start at ₹499, with a 6-month colour guarantee (exclusions apply) and a tiered buyback.
At dusk a mother steps out of the jeweller’s with a small red pouch, and the first diya of the five days is lit at the door. Dhanteras was never only about weight; it was about welcoming something new. This year the pouch costs more than it ever has.
When is Dhanteras 2026, and what is the puja muhurat?
Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026, with the puja muhurat from 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM in New Delhi per Drik Panchang. Confirm timings for your own city.
| Detail | New Delhi, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, 6 November (Kartik Krishna Trayodashi) |
| Pradosh Kaal | 5:33 PM to 8:09 PM |
| Dhanteras puja muhurat | 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM |
| Yama Deepam | During Pradosh Kaal |
Why is Dhanteras celebrated?
Dhanteras (dhan means wealth, teras the thirteenth lunar day) opens the five days of Diwali and honours Goddess Lakshmi, Kubera (treasurer of the gods) and Dhanvantari, who emerged from the Samudra Manthan holding the pot of amrit (SmartPuja). Traditions hold that the wife of a prince fated to die of a snakebite laid out gold, silver and lamps, and Yama, arriving as a serpent, was dazzled and left; hence the custom of buying metal and lighting a lamp for Yama, the Yama Deepam, facing south.
What are the most auspicious things to buy on Dhanteras?
Commonly listed buys are gold, silver, utensils, a broom and coriander seeds, and some items are traditionally avoided (SmartPuja). Dhanteras par kya kharidna chahiye (धनतेरस पर क्या खरीदें) differs by family, so follow your elders.
| Commonly bought | Commonly avoided |
|---|---|
| 1. Gold | Iron or sharp items (knives, scissors) |
| 2. Silver | Glass |
| 3. New utensils (filled before bringing home) | Black clothing |
| 4. A broom | Empty containers |
| 5. Whole coriander seeds | |
| 6. Gomti chakra | |
| 7. Electronics | |
| 8. Vehicles |
The tradition already includes inexpensive, symbolic items: a broom, coriander seeds and a lamp. It never demanded costly gold from every family.
How is Dhanteras celebrated across India?
| Region | What families do |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Coriander seeds pounded with jaggery (dhane-gul) offered as naivedya |
| Gujarat and Rajasthan | Worship of account books and money |
| Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh | Utensils and silver coins; Yama Deepam at night |
| South India | A major gold-buying day; Naraka Chaturdashi is the focus in Tamil Nadu |
| Bengal | Buying is growing in cities; Kali Puja dominates Diwali night |
How much gold do Indians buy on Dhanteras, and why did that change in 2025–26?
Indians typically buy an estimated 20–35 tonnes of gold on Dhanteras (Business Standard (18 October 2025)), and CAIT projected that total Dhanteras 2025 trade could cross ₹1 trillion (Business Standard (18 October 2025)). On Dhanteras 2025, gold sales volume fell 10–15% while value rose (All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council), and jewellery demand fell nearly 30% (IBJA), with local prices up over 60% in a year to about ₹1,27,008 per 10 g (Reuters (19 October 2025)).
Making charges of 10–20% made jewellery costlier than coins, so buyers moved to coins and bars (Reuters (19 October 2025)). On 5 October 2026, 22K gold was ₹1,36,750 per 10 g (Candere, cross-checked with IBJA).
Is it necessary to buy gold on Dhanteras?
No ritual requires you to buy gold; the day is about inviting prosperity and health into the home. Many families buy a coin as shagun, others a vessel or a broom, and intention matters more than the invoice. Every woman deserves to shine this Diwali whatever the gold rate.
What is a “two-part Dhanteras”, and how does it work?
A two-part Dhanteras honours the shagun first, then adds something you will wear. Part 1 is your family’s symbolic purchase; Part 2 is what you will wear through Diwali and the wedding season. Part 2 does not replace Part 1 or count as a gold purchase.
| Part 1: honour the shagun | Part 2: wear the festival |
|---|---|
| A small gold or silver coin, as your family follows | Bangle 2-piece set, ₹499 |
| A new brass or steel vessel, filled before it enters the home | Or a Gold Covered Festive Bangle, ₹499 |
| A broom, whole coriander seeds, a diya for Yama Deepam | Or Moon Dangler Earrings, ₹699 |
What is gold-plated jewellery, and is it a smart Dhanteras buy?
Tanishka Jewels sells micro gold-plated (imitation) jewellery, not real gold and not an investment: multi-layer plating, 2–3 microns thick, over a nickel-free copper-alloy base, designed in CAD, finished by hand and quality-checked. Our buyback is a partial refund, not appreciation. This is not financial advice.
| 1 g 22K gold coin | 20 g 22K gold bangles | Tanishka bangles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | About ₹13,675 plus making and GST | About ₹3.1–3.4 lakh | ₹499 (2-piece) to ₹1,199 (Bridal Gold Bangle) |
| Can you wear it? | Kept, not worn | Yes | Yes |
| Buyback | Terms vary by jeweller | Terms vary by jeweller | 50% within 6 months; 35% at 6–12 months; ₹100 minimum |
| Best for | Ritual purchase | Heirloom wear | New looks each festival |
What can I buy on Dhanteras under ₹500, ₹1,000 and ₹2,000?
| Budget | Pieces |
|---|---|
| Under ₹500 | Bangle Gold Plated- 2 Pc ₹499, Gold Covered Festive Bangle ₹499 |
| ₹500–₹999 | Gold Plated Moon Dangler Earring ₹699, Jhumka -Tradition with Style ₹799 |
| ₹1,000–₹2,000 | Designer Gold-Plated Necklace with AD stone ₹1,099, Premium AD Necklace- Circular Pendant ₹1,099 |
Shop by price: under ₹499, ₹500–999 or ₹1,000 and above, or browse rings from ₹149 and bangles.
What is a good Dhanteras gift for a wife, mother, daughter or sister?
| For | Pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Wife | 3-Layer Gold Plated Floral Necklace | ₹1,199 |
| Mother or mother-in-law | Bridal Gold Bangle | ₹1,199 |
| Daughter | A ring | from ₹149 |
| Sister or bahu | Premium AD Necklace, Circular Pendant | ₹1,099 |
| Husband or brother | Men’s gold plated range | see range |
What guarantee and buyback do you get with Tanishka Jewels?
| Promise | Terms |
|---|---|
| 6-month colour guarantee | If the gold colour fades within 6 months, WhatsApp a photo to +91 81428 45928. A free replacement is dispatched within 48 hours, with no return shipping. |
| Not covered | Bending or breaking, loss or theft, and damage from chemicals, perfume or chlorine |
| Buyback | 50% of the purchase price within 6 months; 35% at 6–12 months; minimum ₹100 after that (cash/UPI or store credit) |
Cash on Delivery is available across India, and it ships worldwide. See gold plated vs real gold and the plating lifespan guide.
Frequently asked questions
May Lakshmi walk in through the door you lit tonight, and may you shine all five days. Next, read our Diwali jewellery and gifting guide.
Shop the Dhanteras edit
Send us your budget on WhatsApp and we will suggest pieces to wear this Diwali. Cash on Delivery across India.
Deepa founded Tanishka Jewels to bring the look of fine gold to the modern woman: jewellery designed with a fashion-first eye, finished by hand and made to be worn, loved and remembered. Connect on LinkedIn →
