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इतिहास
The history, origin and significance of Dhanteras — where it comes from, what it means, and how it changed over time.
Dhanteras 2026: 6 November 20261 dayधनतेरस
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Dhanteras is the first day of the Diwali season, falling two days before Diwali on the thirteenth tithi of Krishna Paksha in Kartik. In 2026 it is Friday 6 November. The name comes from dhan, wealth, and teras, thirteen.
Two stories are attached to the day. In one, Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, emerged from the churning of the ocean holding the pot of amrita — which is why Dhanteras is also observed as Dhanvantari Jayanti, a day for health and Ayurveda. In the other, a young king's wife saved her husband from a predicted death on the fourth night of marriage by piling gold and silver ornaments at the door of his chamber so brightly that Yama, the god of death, was blinded and could not enter. In some retellings it is the god of death and a lamp; in others, a heap of metal ornaments.
The practical expression of both stories is the same: buying metal on Dhanteras is considered auspicious. Households buy gold or silver, at minimum a steel utensil, or a new kitchen item. On the stock markets, Dhanteras and Diwali are the traditional muhurat trading days. Jewellers in India can do a meaningful share of their annual volume on this single day.
Dhanteras is also when houses are finally finished being cleaned and the first diyas are lit at the door in the evening. The Yamadeepdaan ritual — a single diya left outside facing south, in honour of Yama — is performed on this night in many North Indian households.
Almost every large Indian festival means something different in different states. That is not a contradiction — it is the history.
The strongest Dhanteras culture. Yamadeepdaan in the evening, Dhanvantari puja in the morning, and heavy utensil and jewellery buying. In Rajasthan, markets stay open until midnight.
Dhanteras is treated primarily as the opening of the shopping season, leading into Chopda Puja on Diwali. Maharashtra also marks it as Dhanvantari Jayanti, with Ayurvedic shops doing brisk business.
Dhanteras is observed by North Indian communities and business families but is not a broadly public holiday. Where celebrated, the emphasis is on the auspicious metal purchase.
The day is observed as the start of the Diwali week; Yamadeep and metal buying are followed in business and trading communities particularly.
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