Dhanteras 2031: Date, Puja Muhurat and Gold Buying Time

Dhanteras, or Dhanatrayodashi, is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, on Krishna Trayodashi of Kartika (Ashwin in the amanta calendar). It honours Lord Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods who rose from the churning of the ocean holding a pot of amrit, together with Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera, the treasurer of wealth. It is one of the most popular days of the year for buying gold, silver and new utensils, which are believed to bring lasting prosperity into the home.

The Dhanteras puja and the Yama Deepam are done in the evening Pradosh kaal, the first three of the fifteen night muhurtas, while Trayodashi prevails. Many families prefer the part of Pradosh in which the fixed (sthir) Vrishabha lagna rises, because a fixed lagna is believed to make the blessings stay; this page calculates that window for each city. Purchases can be made at any good time while Trayodashi prevails, and many buyers avoid Rahu Kalam.

• Gold or silver coins and jewellery, the most traditional purchase
• New utensils, especially of brass or copper, often filled with something before they are brought home
• A new broom, associated with sweeping away poverty in many North Indian homes
• Whole coriander seeds, which many families offer in the puja and later sow
• Vehicles, electronics and other large purchases, which many people time to the day

Customs differ by region and family. The sense is the same everywhere: bring something lasting and auspicious into the home.

Dhanvantari is the physician of the gods and the patron of Ayurveda. In the Puranas he emerges from the churning of the ocean (samudra manthan) carrying the pot of amrit, which is why Dhanteras is also celebrated as Dhanvantari Jayanti and prayers are offered for good health.

Yama Deepam, or Yama Deepdaan, is a lamp lit on the evening of Trayodashi at the entrance of the home, facing south, the direction of Yama. It is offered so that no member of the family meets an untimely death. Families who follow it light it in the Pradosh period after the main puja.

Next: Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)

Krishna Trayodashi runs from 6:06 am, 12 Nov to 5:35 am, 13 Nov (Indian Standard Time).

Each city's muhurat is calculated from its own sunrise, sunset, tithi and rising lagna (Lahiri ayanamsa). Lagna windows usually agree with printed panchangs to within a few minutes; tithi times are approximate, usually within about 30 minutes. Cities outside India show their local date and time. For a havan or a family-specific muhurat, confirm with your purohit.

Many families, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan, choose the puja or shopping time on Dhanteras from the Choghadiya. Amrit, Shubh and Labh are the good periods; for Lakshmi puja, Labh, Amrit and Shubh in the evening are traditionally preferred.