If you’re getting your home ready for Dhanteras, start with two spaces you’ll actually use during the celebration: the main entrance and the puja corner. Clear the doorway, choose a stable surface for your puja thali and decide where the diyas will go before the evening begins. These small preparations are especially helpful if you live in a flat, share your prayer space with the living room or expect family to join you for the puja.
Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November. According to Drik Panchang, the Dhanteras Lakshmi-Kubera Puja muhurat in Kolkata is 5:28 PM to 7:26 PM IST. If you live elsewhere, use the Panchang for the city where you’ll perform the puja.
Dhanteras 2026 Date and Puja Muhurat in Kolkata
| Dhanteras 2026 details | Date and time |
|---|---|
| Dhanteras date | Friday, 6 November 2026 |
| Trayodashi Tithi begins | 6 November at 10:30 AM IST |
| Trayodashi Tithi ends | 7 November at 10:47 AM IST |
| Kolkata Pradosh Kaal | 6 November, 4:56 PM to 7:30 PM IST |
| Kolkata Lakshmi-Kubera Puja muhurat | 6 November, 5:28 PM to 7:26 PM IST |
Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, is observed on Trayodashi. In 2026, the tithi continues into Saturday morning, while the evening puja falls on Friday. The timing above is for Dhanteras Lakshmi-Kubera Puja. If you also perform Diwali Lakshmi Puja, check its muhurat separately.
1. Clear the Main Entrance Before Decorating It
The front door is where family and guests first experience your home during the festival. In Vastu traditions, a clean, unobstructed entrance is considered a welcoming way to prepare for Lakshmi Puja. Start by putting away extra shoes, moving parcels and cleaning the threshold. Open the door fully once you’ve cleared the area so you can see how much room you have for decorations.
If you have a wide entrance, a rangoli can sit to one side with a diya on a stable plate nearby. In a narrow apartment entryway, a small design inside the door may work better. Leave enough room for everyone to enter comfortably, especially when several people arrive together. A clean threshold and one thoughtfully placed decoration are enough to make the space feel ready for the evening.
2. Choose a Puja Corner That Suits Your Home
The northeast, also called the Ishan corner, is commonly preferred for worship in Vastu traditions. Some traditions also consider the east or north suitable. If your home already has a regularly used mandir, you can prepare that space for Dhanteras. Families that follow a specific arrangement for their deities or seating can use their usual practice.
If you’re setting up a temporary puja corner, choose a place where people can sit comfortably and where the door or household traffic won’t interrupt the prayer. A low, sturdy table can work well in a living room. Check the space by sitting down where you’ll perform the puja. You should be able to reach the thali, flowers and offerings without leaning over the diya.
3. Arrange the Puja Thali and Offerings Before the Muhurat
Lay a clean cloth over the surface and set out the images or idols your family uses. For Dhanteras, many households worship Maa Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. Some also remember Lord Dhanvantari, who is associated with prayers for good health. Leave room for whichever observances are part of your household tradition.
A simple layout makes the puja easier to follow. Place the deity images where everyone can see them. Keep the puja thali and flowers within easy reach, with fruit, sweets or other offerings to one side. If your family places a new silver coin or utensil near the altar, give it a small spot of its own. Keep matches, spare wicks and other supplies together so you can find them quickly when it’s time to light the lamps.
4. Plan Where to Light Diyas on Dhanteras
The puja area and main entrance are familiar places for festive diyas. Some families also observe Yam Deepam, a Dhanteras custom in which a lamp is dedicated to Lord Yama during Pradosh Kaal. If your household follows this tradition, prepare a separate lamp and use the timing and placement customary in your family.
Decide where each diya will sit while the lamps are still unlit. Use a flat, heat-resistant surface away from curtains, loose decorations and the swing of the door. If your entrance opens onto a shared corridor, you can place your festive lamp in a suitable spot inside your home. A few lamps with enough space around them are easier to tend throughout the evening.
5. Keep Festive Purchases Separate From the Puja Preparation
Gold, silver and new utensils are customary Dhanteras purchases. If you buy an item to include in the puja, remove its packaging and set it aside when you prepare the thali. If your family observes a specific shopping muhurat, check the purchase timings for your city. The evening puja window is listed separately.
If you’re also doing your Diwali shopping that day, give yourself enough time to get home and settle in before the puja. You can prepare the altar in the afternoon, leave a place for the item you plan to buy and finish the setup when you return. That keeps the evening manageable even if the shops are busy.
6. Adapt the Setup for a Small Flat or Rented Home
When space is limited, choose one corner that can serve as the focus of the evening. A compact table, your usual deity images, a puja thali and a diya may be all you need. Use a nearby shelf or side table for spare supplies and serving dishes. This leaves the main surface clear and gives family members more room to sit.
If the northeast corner doubles as a passage or workspace, consider an available east or north area if it suits your household practice. Take a moment to look at the room as you’ll actually use it. Where will people sit? Will anyone need to walk through during the puja? Can everyone see the altar? Those details can help you choose a comfortable setup within your layout.
A Simple Dhanteras Puja Preparation Checklist
- In the morning, clear the entrance and clean the place where you’ll perform the puja.
- In the afternoon, set out the cloth, deity images, thali, diyas, cotton wicks and offerings.
- Before sunset, finish the rangoli or doorway decoration and make room for family members to sit.
- Before the puja muhurat, confirm the time for your city and keep everything you’ll need within reach.
- During the evening, follow your family’s puja sequence and observe Yam Deepam if it’s part of your tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dhanteras Vastu
Which direction is considered suitable for Dhanteras Puja?
The northeast is a commonly preferred direction for a puja area in Vastu. The east and north are also used in some traditions. The placement of the altar and the direction a person faces during worship may vary with family customs and the home’s layout.
What time is Dhanteras Lakshmi-Kubera Puja in Kolkata in 2026?
Drik Panchang lists the Kolkata puja muhurat as 5:28 PM to 7:26 PM IST on Friday, 6 November 2026.
Can I perform Dhanteras Puja in my existing home mandir?
Yes. Clean your existing mandir, arrange the offerings and make space for the diya and puja thali. If several people are joining you, arrange their seating ahead of time so everyone can participate comfortably.
Do I need to buy gold or silver for Dhanteras Puja?
Gold and silver purchases are popular customs. You can prepare the puja with the items your family usually uses, such as a diya, flowers and offerings. Some households choose a new utensil or bring out a coin they already keep for worship.
