Dhanteras: the first lamp of Diwali
Dhanteras is the evening of Krishna Trayodashi, the first of Diwali's five days. The texts ask for a lamp in Yama's name outside the door that evening; tradition also keeps it as the day Dhanvantari appeared. In 2026 it is Friday, 6 November.
The first of Diwali's five days: a lamp outside the door in Yama's name at dusk, and the remembrance of Dhanvantari.
What Dhanteras is
In ‘Dhanteras’, ‘teras’ is Trayodashi, the thirteenth lunar day. It is the Krishna-paksha Trayodashi two days before Diwali's Amavasya: Ashvina's in amanta calendars, Kartika's in purnimanta ones. It is also called Dhanatrayodashi, and in many places Dhanvantari Jayanti.
Diwali's five days begin this evening. The first lamp of the season is lit today.
How the date is decided
Shastra (Dharmasindhu): on this Trayodashi a lamp is placed outside the house in Yama's name at dusk. Nirnaya Sindhu says the same: a Yama lamp outside the house at pradosha. So the day is the one whose evening (pradosha) has the Trayodashi. Our engine uses this rule.
In 2026 the Trayodashi runs from 10:31 am on 6 November to 10:48 am on 7 November. Only the 6th has it at pradosha, so Dhanteras is Friday, 6 November.
If the Trayodashi covers both evenings, calendars may differ; we decide the day once for Ujjain and show your city's times.
The story: tradition / Purana story
Dhanvantari: tradition holds that during the churning of the ocean Dhanvantari rose with the pot of amrita on this Trayodashi. He is honoured as the deity of Ayurveda, so many vaidyas and people in Ayurveda worship him today.
The Yama lamp: the texts ask for a lamp outside the house, facing south, in Yama's name this evening. Families keep it as a prayer for the household's wellbeing. It is not a rite of fear, just a quiet lamp that begins Diwali's light.
How families celebrate
In north and west India there is a folk custom of buying utensils, a silver coin or something of metal today; we did not find it in the texts, and it is not required. The festival is complete without buying anything. Many homes bring a new broom, a sign of cleaning and fresh starts.
In Maharashtra rangoli and lamps begin this evening; trading families clean their safes and ledgers. In Gujarat it opens the Lakshmi worship of the season.
A simple puja
- In the evening, tidy the house and wash hands and face.
- Place a lamp of dough or clay, with oil and a wick, outside the main door facing south: this is the Yama lamp.
- At the shrine, remember Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kubera; offer flowers and a sweet.
- Pray for the family's wellbeing.
That is complete. No paid puja or special purchase is needed.
Safety and health
So that the outdoor lamp doesn't blow over or fall, set it on a plate or brick, away from dry leaves, curtains and vehicles. Keep an adult near children.
Markets are crowded: hold children's hands, mind belongings, and don't rush while driving. The season of sweets and fried food starts here; people with diabetes or heart conditions can keep to their diet. For health, the doctor comes first.
In ePandit
In ePandit: our calendar shows the festival day with your city's sunrise and sunset. The day is decided once, for Ujjain; your city's times are shown separately. We don't compute muhurta yet, and we never call a festival good or bad for anyone.
Keep lamps away from curtains and clothes, keep an adult near children, and keep a bucket of water or sand nearby. Mind children and belongings in crowded markets.
Frequently asked questions
Which time of day fixes Dhanteras?
The evening. The day whose pradosha has the Trayodashi is taken, because the texts speak of the evening lamp.
Must one buy gold or utensils that day?
No. It is a folk custom, not found in the texts. Dhanteras is complete without buying anything.
Which way does the Yama lamp face?
Tradition faces it south, outside the main door. The text says ‘outside the house, at dusk’.
Who is Dhanvantari?
In tradition, the deity who rose from the churned ocean with the pot of amrita, honoured as the teacher of Ayurveda.
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Sources: Dharmasindhu, Āśvina-kṛṣṇa trayodaśī, A lamp outside the house for Yama at dusk · Nirṇaya Sindhu, Kārtika-kṛṣṇa trayodaśī, Yama-dipa outside the house at pradosha · Tradition, Dhanvantari's appearance; the folk custom of buying utensils or metal