Dhanteras 2021 puja time, date, schedule — everything you need to know

Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is celebrated every year on the Trayodashi (Thirteenth day) of Krishna Paksha (waning phase of moon) in the month of Kartik. Quite interestingly, Dhanteras falls two days before Diwali and marks the beginning of the grand Diwali festival.

2021 Dhanteras date and puja timing

This year, Dhanteras will be observed on November 2, 2021. As per the tradition, Dhanteras puja is conducted after sunset on the day of the event. The best time to perform Dhanteras puja is during the Pradosh Kaal between 5:35PM and 8:11 PM on November 2. and the bes ttime to peform Dhanteras puja is during Vrishabh Kaal between 6:17 PM and 8:12 PM as per drikpanchang.com , which makes this timing all the more auspicious for conducting the Dhanteras rituals.

Dhanteras tradition and deities

It is said that Lord Dhanvantri, the avatar of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Mahalakshmi, emerged from the Ksheer Sagar (Milky Ocean) on the day of Dhanteras when the gods and demons churned it in pursuit of the immortal nectar. Hence this day marks the birth anniversaries of these two deities. Dhanvantri bestows health, and goddess Lakshmi bestows wealth and prosperity. On this day, Lord Kuber and Yama are also worshipped, seeking wealth and longevity.

Dhanteras puja and what to do on this day

On the morning of Dhanteras, people wake up early and draw rangolis in the entrance of their homes as a mark of inviting Goddess Lakshmi and prosperity. In honor of Mother Lakshmi, people light lamps to burn throughout the night.


Dhanteras is a special day for traders and businesspeople. On this day, they decorate their shops and offices and perform Lakshmi puja at their business place. It is considered auspicious to purchase gold, silver, valuables, and other precious metals on this day. Anything purchased on this day is said to grow in abundance. Hence shopping on this day is a sign of inviting luck into the household and business place.

In the evening of Dhanteras, Yam Deep is lit. This procedure consists of lighting an earthen lamp and keeping it at the doorstep. This is done to seek Yama's blessings and ensure the longevity of life of all household members.


The evening puja scheduled during the Pradosh Kaal is meant to worship Dhanvantri, Lakshmi, Kuber, and Yamraj. Delicious eatables are made and offered. In many homes, rows of lamps are lit on this day. People sing the praises of gods and goddesses on the day of Dhanteras. The married women pray for the welfare of their husband and family on the day of Dhanteras.