Dhanteras 2026, also called Dhantrayodashi, falls on Friday, 6 November 2026. It is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, when families worship Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera for health, wealth and prosperity in the year ahead. The main Diwali Lakshmi Puja follows two days later on Sunday, 8 November 2026.

For the Indian community across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, this guide covers the confirmed date, the UAE puja muhurat, a simple step-by-step vidhi, the key mantras, and what to buy. For the complete festival, see our Diwali 2026 guide for the UAE.

Dhanteras 2026 Date and Muhurat (UAE)

Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, 6 November 2026. The Lakshmi-Kubera puja is performed during the Pradosh Kaal, the auspicious window that begins after sunset.

For the UAE, the auspicious puja window is approximately 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM local time, which is also considered the best time for buying gold, silver and new valuables. Performing the puja during the Vrishabha (Sthir) Lagna is especially valued, as this fixed sign is believed to help Lakshmi settle permanently in the home. Always confirm the exact timing on the DrikPanchang app set to your emirate, as muhurat shifts slightly by location.

Significance of Dhanteras

Dhanteras marks the beginning of Deepotsav, the festival of lights. On this day there is a tradition of worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, the divine treasurer Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and Ayurveda. It is believed that sincere worship on this day removes any lack of money from the home.

According to mythology, Lord Dhanvantari appeared during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) holding a kalash filled with the nectar of immortality. This is why he is worshipped on Dhanteras, and why buying utensils and metal on this day is considered auspicious.

Dhanteras Puja Vidhi (Step by Step)

At the home or office entrance

• Light a Chaumukhi Diya (a square, four-mouthed lamp) at the main entrance in the evening. Lit as the Yama Deep, it is believed to protect the household from untimely death.
• Before lighting the diyas, worship them with kumkum, jaggery, coriander seeds, rice, moong daal, a kaudi (shell with one hole), murmura (puffed rice), patasha and coins placed inside.
• Write "Shubh-Labh" on both sides of the entrance.

At the puja place

• Spread a red cloth at the puja place.
• Facing north, install the idols of Lord Dhanvantari, Maa Lakshmi, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Kubera. If you do not have all the idols, you can worship the Kalash.
• Kalash Sthapna: place rice on the red cloth and set a copper or clay Kalash on it. Fill it a quarter with water and add a little Gangajal.
• Add flowers, akshat, a coin and supari to the Kalash, and place five mango leaves on top.
• Install idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Place a kaudi before the Kalash; the next morning it is kept in the cash box or safe to honour Kubera.
• Keep the main tool or instrument of your work at the place of worship.
• Light the lamp, apply tilak, and offer flowers and fruits.
• Offer white sweets to Kubera and yellow sweets to Dhanvantari.
• Chant "Om Hreem Kuberaya Namah" during the worship, then perform the aarti of Maa Lakshmi.

Important Mantras for Dhanteras

Lord Dhanvantari (for health)

"Om Namo Bhagavate Maha Sudarshana Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye; Amrita Kalasha Hastaaya Sarva Bhaya Vinashaya Sarva Aamaya Nivaranaya Trilokya Pataye Trilokya Nidhaye Sri Maha Vishnu Swarupa Sri Dhanvantri Swarupa Sri Sri Sri Aushadha Chakra Narayana Swaha"

Lord Kubera (for wealth)

"Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhana-Dhanya Samriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha"

You can also recite the Lakshmi Stotra, Lakshmi Chalisa or the Kubera Stotra. For the deeper Lakshmi-Kubera wealth practice, read our Kubera worship guide.

What to Buy on Dhanteras

Dhanteras is the most auspicious day of the year to bring metal and new valuables into the home - gold, silver, brass or copper, utensils, and idols for Diwali puja. Buying a Lakshmi-Ganesha idol or coin on Dhanteras to worship on Diwali night is a cherished tradition.

Divine Sansar delivers everything for the day across the UAE. Set up your altar with the 999 Silver Lakshmi-Ganesh frame, light a brass akhand diya, and complete the ritual with a ready Diwali pooja box. For the wealth corner, the Money Magnets range - Kuber Yantra, Shree Yantra and pyrite - supports the Lakshmi-Kubera practice.

Dhanteras in the UAE

Across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, Indian families mark Dhanteras at home with diyas, a Lakshmi-Kubera puja and a small auspicious purchase. Because the muhurat follows the panchang, the date stays the same as in India, but the clock timings are set to UAE local time.

To have everything ready before the festival, order by Friday, 30 October 2026 so your samagri and idols arrive before Dhanteras on 6 November. For the full five-day festival and Lakshmi Puja muhurat, see our Diwali 2026 in UAE guide, and for the complete Lakshmi puja steps read the Maa Lakshmi Puja Vidhi guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Dhanteras 2026?
Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi) 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November 2026. It is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, which ends with Bhai Dooj on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.

What is the Dhanteras 2026 puja muhurat in Dubai and the UAE?
The auspicious puja window for the UAE is approximately 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM local time on 6 November, during the Pradosh Kaal after sunset. Confirm the exact timing on DrikPanchang set to your emirate.

Which gods are worshipped on Dhanteras?
Lord Dhanvantari (for health), Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera (for wealth and prosperity) are worshipped together on Dhanteras.

What should you buy on Dhanteras?
Gold, silver, brass or copper items, new utensils, and a Lakshmi-Ganesha idol or coin are traditionally bought. Many people avoid buying iron or black-coloured items on this day.

How do you perform Dhanteras puja at home?
Light a Yama Deep at the entrance, set up a Kalash and the Lakshmi-Ganesha altar on a red cloth facing north, offer flowers, sweets and tilak, chant the Kubera and Dhanvantari mantras, and finish with the Lakshmi aarti.

Can Dhanteras be celebrated at home in the UAE?
Yes. Families across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman celebrate at home. Keep the same date as India, use UAE local timings, and arrange your samagri and idols a few days in advance.

Divine Sansar is a UAE-based brand offering authentic pooja products, crystals and spiritual items to the Indian community across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, with same-day and next-day delivery.