Dhanteras 2026 in USA: Fri, Nov 6 — Puja Time by City

How the Dhanteras date is decided

The day on which Amavasya (new-moon tithi) prevails during Pradosh Kaal (the period right after local sunset); Lakshmi Puja is done in Pradosh Kaal when the fixed sign Vrishabha (Taurus) rises.

Significance

Dhan + teras = worship of wealth on the Trayodashi. It is believed that any metal or article bought on this day grows thirteen-fold — hence the custom of buying utensils (especially brass, copper, silver), gold and new things. The broom is bought as a symbol of Lakshmi and coriander seeds are sown after Diwali.

Yam Deepdaan: according to the katha, lighting a lamp for Yamraj outside the house facing south on this day averts untimely death in the family — this is the most essential household rite of the day, often lost in the glitter of shopping.

Puja vidhi (brief)

1. Clean the house in the morning; at the main door draw rangoli, hang a toran, draw a swastik and Lakshmi's footprints on both sides — from the threshold towards the puja place.
2. Shopping during the day — a metal utensil (brass/copper/silver; never brought home empty — fill it with rice/sugar/water), a gold or silver coin, a new broom, coriander seeds, diyas.
3. In the evening spread a red cloth on a wooden seat at the puja place and set up the picture/idol of Lakshmi-Ganesha, Kuber and Lord Dhanvantari; place the purchased utensil/coin before them with roli and akshat.
4. Puja in Pradosh Kaal (time above): kalash sthapana, lamp and incense, flowers, roli-akshat, kheel-batasha, sweets, coriander; chant 'Om Dhanvantaraye Namah', 'Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Kuberaya Namah' and the Lakshmi mantra; pray to Dhanvantari for health and to Kuber-Lakshmi for wealth.
5. Worship the safe/ledgers/cash box — a swastik in roli, akshat, flowers; traders start new account books on this day or on Diwali.
6. Yam Deepdaan: after sunset take a four-faced lamp of dough or clay with mustard oil and four wicks; place it outside the house facing south, on a small heap of grain (wheat); a woman of the family folds her hands and prays — 'Mrityuna pashadandabhyam kalena shyamaya saha, trayodashyam deepdanat suryajah priyatam mama'. Let it burn all night.
7. Light 13 (or 5-7) diyas in every corner of the house, at the Tulsi, the kitchen, the water place and the door — the festival of lamps begins here.
8. Distribute prasad after the aarti; use the new utensil for the first time in the Diwali puja or in the kitchen the next day.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dhanteras 2026 on the same day in USA and India?

Yes — Friday, November 6, 2026.

What is the puja time for Dhanteras 2026 in New York?

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat (Pradosh Kaal with Vrishabha Lagna): 5:11 PM to 6:59 PM (EST). Other cities are in the table above.

Which time zone are these timings in?

Each row is in that city's own local time with daylight saving applied (Eastern Time (EST/EDT) for New York).

What should one buy on Dhanteras?

A metal utensil (brass-copper-silver), a gold or silver coin/ornament, a new broom, coriander, diyas, a new kitchen vessel. Buy according to faith and means — even a small utensil or a broom is enough.

Is a fast kept on Dhanteras?

Not compulsory; many women keep the Trayodashi Pradosh vrat — fruit during the day, a meal after the Pradosh puja. The Dhanvantari puja and Yama lamp are fully valid without a fast.

Daily panchang in USA

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