Why Buy Silver on Dhanteras?
If you want to understand the reasoning behind choosing silver in particular, read the detailed guide.
Why Buy Silver on Dhanteras
Learn why silver is traditionally associated with Dhanteras and how families choose between different weights and formats.
Read the Silver GuideDhanteras 2026 at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Day and date | Friday, 6 November 2026 |
| Tithi | Trayodashi of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of Ashwin |
| Main puja | Evening, during Pradosh Kaal, after sunset |
| Related ritual | Yama Deepam, a lamp lit at the door in the evening |
| Lakshmi Puja (Diwali) | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
Why the Date Changes Every Year
Dhanteras is also called Dhantrayodashi. The name comes from dhan, meaning wealth, and teras or trayodashi, the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight.
Because it follows the lunar calendar, the English date changes every year. In 2025 it fell on 18 October, which is why the festival can feel as if it moved by weeks.
One published panchang gives the Trayodashi tithi as beginning at about 10:30 AM on 6 November and ending at about 10:47 AM on 7 November. Since the puja is held in the evening, Friday 6 November is the day most families observe.
What Dhanteras Means
Dhanvantari
Dhanvantari is the god of health and Ayurveda and is regarded as an avatar of Vishnu. According to the story of the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), he rose from the ocean holding a pot of amrit and a text on medicine.
Many families offer a prayer for good health on this day. In 2016 the Government of India's Ministry of AYUSH marked Dhanteras as National Ayurveda Day for this reason.
Lakshmi and Kubera
In the evening, families pray for prosperity and the wellbeing of the household. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, and Kubera is regarded as the keeper of treasure.
This is why buying something durable, especially metal, is considered a sign of welcome for good fortune.
Yama Deepam
The third thread is a story that explains why a lamp is lit at the door. A prince was predicted to die of a snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage. His wife did not sleep that night. She piled her gold and silver ornaments and coins at the entrance of the bedchamber, lit lamps all around, and sang and told stories.
When Yama came in the form of a serpent, the glitter of the coins and the light of the lamps dazzled him. He sat on the heap of coins listening to the songs until morning, and then he left. The prince lived, and the day is remembered for the lamp offered to Yama, often called Yama Deepam.
This story is one reason silver and gold coins are so closely tied to the day. The tradition is old enough that the coin itself, not only the metal, has meaning.
Dhanteras Puja Muhurat 2026
The Dhanteras puja is performed in the evening, in Pradosh Kaal, which begins after sunset. Because sunset differs by city, the window shifts from place to place. One published panchang lists these approximate windows for 6 November 2026:
| City | Puja muhurat (approx.) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM |
| Mumbai | 6:35 PM to 8:35 PM |
| Bengaluru | 6:25 PM to 8:20 PM |
| Hyderabad | 6:15 PM to 8:13 PM |
| Kolkata | 5:28 PM to 7:26 PM |
Muhurat Timing Note
The Best Time to Shop for Dhanteras
Buying on the day
Most people buy on 6 November, either in the afternoon or in the hours before the puja.
Showrooms and markets in Delhi, including Karol Bagh, are at their most crowded in the late afternoon and early evening. If you are buying silver coins or a murti, a morning or early-afternoon visit is calmer and gives you time to compare weights and designs.
Buying a day or two early
There is no rule that says you cannot choose the item earlier. Many families select and pay for their purchase in the week before, then bring it home on Dhanteras itself or collect it on the day.
If you are ordering online, this also protects you from delivery delays during the festive rush.
The 7 November question
Because the tithi runs into the morning of 7 November, some families also buy on the morning of the 7th.
If this matters to your household, ask your family pandit. The practical suggestion is not to leave it to the last day, whichever way you decide.
What to Buy on Dhanteras
Tradition names a few categories. The common thread is that it should be something new, durable and ideally made of metal.
Gold and silver
Gold and silver are the best-known purchases. A coin is the simplest form because it is small, easy to keep and carries no making charges beyond what is built into the price.
Silver is especially popular because it lets a family take part in the tradition without a large budget. A 1 g silver coin from the Diwali range starts at ₹420, while a gold coin costs far more weight for weight.
Utensils and metalware
New vessels made of steel, brass, copper or silver are an old Dhanteras purchase.
Some households place a few grains, a little water or a coin inside a new vessel, because an empty vessel is not considered auspicious by some families.
Diyas and puja items
New diyas, a small brass lamp, a murti of Lakshmi and Ganesh or a puja thali are practical purchases you will use within the week.
If you buy a new murti for Diwali puja, it is usual to bring it home on Dhanteras so it is ready for Lakshmi Puja two days later.
Household items
Many families also buy a new broom, new kitchenware, or something for the home that has been on the list for a while.
Larger purchases are common too, but there is no tradition that requires them. What matters in most homes is the act of buying one new thing with intention.
Silver Coin and Murti Ideas by Budget
Prices below were read from the Diwali silver coins collection on 9 October 2026. Silver prices move with the market, so check the product page on the day you buy.
| Budget | What it buys | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Under ₹500 | 1 g Laxmi Ji round coin (₹420), 1 g Lakshmi Ganesh Saraswati UV-printed coin (₹420) | One coin per family member, small gifts |
| ₹500 to ₹1,500 | 1 g Laxmi Ganesh gift box (₹520), 2 g Laxmi Ganesh box (₹870), 3 g Laxmi Ganesh Saraswati box (₹1,070), Laxmi Ji folder box set of three 1 g coins (₹1,170) | A first Dhanteras purchase for a household |
| ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 | Diwali Divine Trio 3 g UV coin set (₹1,280), Lakshmi Charan single (₹1,650), 6 g Banyan Tree coin (₹1,760), 10 g Laxmi Ganesh box (₹2,890) | Puja use and gifting to relatives |
| ₹4,000 and above | 15 g Banyan Tree flower-shaped coin (₹4,170), Ramayana musical box and pooja essentials kit (₹5,180) | A larger keepsake or a festive gift set |
Diwali Silver Coins Collection
Browse the full Diwali silver coin range and use the price and weight filters to narrow the list to your budget.
Diwali Silver Coins
The collection includes silver coin options across multiple weights and festive designs, plus selected gold gifting options.
Explore Diwali Silver CoinsA Simple Way to Decide
Start from the number of people you are buying for.
One 1 g coin per adult in a joint family comes to a manageable figure, and the coins can later be used for puja, kept in a locker, or passed on.
A Sample Dhanteras Budget for One Family
Say a household of five adults and two children wants one coin for each adult, a gift box for the puja, and a few diyas and a new thali.
Sample Budget Breakdown
- Five 1 g Laxmi Ji coins at ₹420 each come to ₹2,100.
- One 3 g Laxmi Ganesh Saraswati gift box for the puja is ₹1,070.
- Diyas, a thali and sweets might come to around ₹600, as a rough market estimate.
Dhanteras for Shops and Small Businesses
Dhanteras is also a day of beginnings for traders. Many shopkeepers buy new account books, tidy the cash counter and keep a coin or small murti near the till.
The bahi-khata, or account book, is placed before Lakshmi during the Diwali puja two days later, so some traders buy the new book on Dhanteras to have it ready.
If you are buying for a business, a Lakshmi Ganesh coin is a simple item to keep on the puja shelf from year to year.
What to Avoid on Dhanteras
Several customs are described as things to avoid, and they vary by family and region. They are listed here for awareness rather than as universal rules.
- Iron and sharp objects.: Knives, scissors and other sharp items are avoided by many households on Dhanteras. Some families also skip iron goods altogether.
- Predominantly black items.: Some households avoid buying black objects on festive days.
- Buying on credit.: A common piece of advice is to pay for Dhanteras purchases rather than borrow for them. This is as much practical sense as tradition.
- Empty vessels.: If you buy a new utensil, many families put grains, water or a coin in it first.
- Buying just to buy.: Pick something you genuinely need or will treasure, not something you will regret in January.
How to Do Dhanteras Puja at Home
The evening puja is simple and can be done in a few minutes if you are short of time.
Clean the house and entrance
Many families draw a rangoli at the door and put up a toran.
Place the new purchase near the shrine
Put the silver coin, vessel or other new purchase on a clean cloth in front of the household shrine.
Light a lamp during the muhurat
Offer flowers and sweets to Lakshmi, Ganesh and Kubera. Some families also offer a prayer to Dhanvantari for health.
Place the new item on a plate
Keep the coin or new item with a little rice or turmeric through the puja.
Complete the puja
At the end, light the Yama Deepam at the main door and offer aarti.
Diwali Lakshmi Puja Vidhi
For the fuller evening ritual of Diwali itself, including kalash sthapana and Kubera puja, see the detailed guide.
Diwali Lakshmi Puja Vidhi 2026
Follow the detailed steps for Lakshmi Puja on Diwali.
Read the Puja GuideYama Deepam: How It Is Done
Yama Deepam is a lamp lit at sunset for protection from untimely death. It is a custom followed in many homes even when little else is done on the day.
- Take a small earthen diya and fill it with oil or ghee.
- Light it in the evening and place it at the main door or just outside it.
- Face the flame to the south, the direction associated with Yama.
- Some families light thirteen lamps in total, with one placed to face south.
A Four-Week Dhanteras Countdown
Planning ahead takes much of the stress out of the day.
- Four weeks before: Decide your budget and who you are buying for. Note any weights or designs you want.
- Three weeks before: Browse the collection online, shortlist your choices, and ask about delivery if you are ordering.
- Two weeks before: Place orders for anything that needs to be shipped. Festive deliveries slow down in the final week.
- One week before: Buy diyas, a new puja thali and cleaning supplies. Confirm your muhurat with your pandit or a local panchang.
- Day before: Arrange the puja area, wash the vessels, and plan your evening.
- Dhanteras: Buy or collect your coin, perform the puja in the muhurat, and light the Yama Deepam.
Buying a Silver Coin Safely
A Dhanteras coin is something you may keep for decades, so a few checks are worth doing at the counter or on the product page.
- Purity.: Look for 999 on the coin or packaging. 999 means the silver is 99.9 percent pure, the highest purity commonly used for coins.
- Weight.: Check that the weight stated on the packaging matches the product listing.
- Certificate and invoice.: Ask for a certificate of authenticity and a proper invoice. Both matter if you later wish to resell or exchange.
- Buy-back terms.: Ask what the buy-back or exchange terms are, and get them in writing if possible.
- Packaging.: Store the coin in its pouch or box to protect the surface from scratches.
- Source.: Buy from a seller with a physical address, a proper phone number and a track record.
Chotteylal & Sons Silver Coin Assurance
Regional Dhanteras Customs
India does not celebrate Dhanteras in one way. A few variations show how the day is adapted.
- Maharashtra: Dry coriander seeds are lightly crushed with jaggery and offered as naivedya.
- Gujarat: The festive season is closely tied to the new year that follows Diwali, and families traditionally eat dal bhaat and malpua to welcome it.
- Tamil Nadu: Women prepare a medicinal preparation called marundu, which is offered in prayer and eaten before sunrise on Naraka Chaturdashi.
- Rural India: Farmers decorate and worship their cattle, which are often the main source of income.
- Jain households: The day is observed as Dhanyateras and is linked to Mahavira's meditation before moksha.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Dhanteras in 2026?
Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026. Lakshmi Puja on Diwali follows on Sunday, 8 November.
What is the Dhanteras puja muhurat in Delhi?
Published windows start between about 5:49 PM and 6:17 PM and end between about 7:15 PM and 8:15 PM, depending on the panchang. Confirm with your own pandit or a trusted local panchang before the day.
What should I buy on Dhanteras?
Gold, silver, a new utensil, diyas, or something new for the house. Silver coins are a common choice for smaller budgets.
Is silver better than gold for Dhanteras?
Neither is better in every case. Silver costs far less per gram, so more people can buy a coin. Gold costs more but is also a long-standing choice. Many families buy a small piece of each.
Can I buy on 7 November?
The Trayodashi tithi continues into the morning of 7 November, so some families buy then. Ask your pandit if it matters to you.
What is the cheapest silver coin I can buy for Dhanteras?
At the time of writing, the 1 g coins in the Diwali range start at ₹420. Prices follow the silver rate.
What should I not buy on Dhanteras?
Many families avoid iron and sharp objects, predominantly black items, and purchases made on credit. These customs vary.
Why do we light a lamp for Yama on Dhanteras?
According to tradition, the lamp is lit for protection from untimely death, in memory of the story of the prince and Yama.
Choosing Your Dhanteras Purchase
A good Dhanteras purchase is simple: something you will keep, bought without stretching your budget, and brought home in good time for the evening. A 1 g coin at ₹420 and a 10 g Laxmi Ganesh gift box at ₹2,890 both honour the day. What matters is the intention behind the choice and that you buy from someone you trust.
Visit a Showroom
If you would like to see coins and murtis in person, visit either Chotteylal & Sons showroom in Karol Bagh or Gurgaon.
Visit Our Stores
Compare weights, designs and gifting options in person with the team.
View Showroom DetailsTiming note: Festival timings, silver prices and product availability in this guide were stated as current in the supplied article. Refresh puja timings from a trusted local panchang and confirm live prices, availability and buy-back terms before publication.