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Dhanteras

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Published 2026-09-04 · region: pan-Hindu · Saath Wikifestival

Calendar timing

Nov (Lunar (Kartik Krishna))

  • 2026 · 2026-11-05 (scholar-2026-06-23)

Stories & history

Something metal brought inpan-Hindu

The tradition on Dhanteras is to bring a metal object into the house — a vessel, a spoon, a coin, gold if a household can, steel if it cannot. What is bought matters much less than that something was; families who cannot afford anything will buy a single small utensil, and that discharges it entirely.

Dhanvantaripan-Hindu

The same day is kept as the appearance of Dhanvantari, who rose from the churning of the ocean carrying the pot of amrita, and is honoured as the source of healing. Physicians and ayurvedic practitioners keep the day for him, which is a different observance running alongside the household one.

Symbolism & meaning

Core symbolism
The thirteenth day of Kartika's dark fortnight — something metal brought into the house, and the first lamps of the season lit.
Meaning
The day that opens the Deepavali run. A metal object is bought and brought home — vessels above all, and gold or silver where a household can — and in the evening the first lamps of the season are lit, with one set at the threshold or facing south. The house has been cleaned in the preceding days and the doorway is marked with rangoli. Lakshmi and Kuber are worshipped in most households, and the same day is Dhanvantari Jayanti for physicians. It is one occasion of four on consecutive days, each with its own entry.

Procedure

  1. Cleaning and the threshold. The house is finished being cleaned and the doorway is marked with rangoli and, in many households, small footprints.
  2. Buying metal. A metal object is bought and brought into the house — a vessel, a coin, or gold or silver where the household can.
  3. The evening puja. Lakshmi and Kuber are worshipped, with the new purchase placed before them.
  4. The first lamps. The season's first lamps are lit at the threshold and around the house at dusk.
  5. The lamp set apart. In most traditions one lamp is set outside facing south and left to burn through the night.

Materials needed

  • A metal vessel, coin or ornament newly bought
  • Oil lamps and oil or ghee
  • Rangoli colours
  • Images or pictures of Lakshmi and Kuber
  • Flowers, akshata, coriander seed and sweets for the offering

Family participation

  • Makes the purchase and performs the evening puja — Head of the household
  • Prepare the threshold and light the lamps — Women of the household

Keep reading

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