✍️ By Rahul Goyal · Chandigarh Life
Quick answer: Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November, opening the five-day Diwali festival. It honours Dhanvantari, the god of medicine, and is considered the most auspicious day of the year to buy gold, silver or new utensils. In Chandigarh, Sector 22 and Sector 35’s jewellers and the showrooms at Elante Mall typically run their biggest Dhanteras offers of the year.
Why Dhanteras Is Celebrated
Dhanteras — Dhanatrayodashi — falls on the thirteenth day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik, and opens the five-day Diwali festival. Tradition holds that Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda and medicine, emerged from the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) on this day carrying a pot of amrit — which is why the day is associated with health as much as wealth. “Dhan” means wealth, and buying gold, silver or new utensils on this day is considered to invite prosperity into the home for the year ahead. Many households also observe Yama Deepam that evening, lighting a lamp facing south to ward off untimely death.
Dhanteras 2026 Date
Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November, the first of Diwali’s five days — followed by Narak Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Puja on 8 November, Govardhan Puja on 10 November, and Bhai Dooj on 11 November. See our full Diwali in Chandigarh guide for the complete five-day calendar and Lakshmi Puja muhurat.
Dhanteras Shopping in Chandigarh
Chandigarh’s established jewellers, concentrated around Sector 22 and Sector 35, along with showrooms at Elante Mall, typically run dedicated Dhanteras offers and see their busiest trading day of the year. Buying steel or brass utensils is also a widely-followed Dhanteras custom, alongside gold and silver — Sector 22 and Sector 19 markets, already the city’s go-to spots for festive shopping through Diwali, carry a wide range at this time of year. As always with festive offers, it’s worth confirming current-year discounts and making-charge waivers directly with the store rather than assuming last year’s terms carry over.
FAQ’s
When is Dhanteras 2026?
Friday, 6 November 2026, the first day of the five-day Diwali festival.
Why do people buy gold and utensils on Dhanteras?
Dhanteras is associated with wealth (Dhan) and with Dhanvantari, the god of medicine, who is said to have emerged from the Samudra Manthan carrying a pot of amrit on this day. Buying gold, silver or new utensils is considered to invite prosperity for the year ahead.
Where can I shop for Dhanteras in Chandigarh?
Jewellers around Sector 22 and Sector 35, plus showrooms at Elante Mall, typically run their biggest Dhanteras offers of the year. Sector 22 and Sector 19 markets are also popular for utensils and festive shopping.
What is Yama Deepam?
A lamp lit facing south on Dhanteras evening, a tradition observed by many households to ward off untimely death, alongside the day’s wealth and health-focused rituals.
