Dhanteras opens the five days of Diwali and is the biggest day of the year for gold, silver and utensil buying. Here are the dates and timings, and the money rules that decide what you actually pay.
Key takeaway: Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November 2026; the Delhi puja muhurat is about 6:02–7:57 PM. If you buy gold, check the live gold rate, insist on a HUID hallmark and a GST invoice, and pay digitally above ₹2 lakh.
Quick answers: Dhanteras 2026
When is Dhanteras 2026?
Friday, 6 November 2026, two days before Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) on Sunday 8 November.
What is the Dhanteras puja muhurat?
For New Delhi, Drik Panchang gives about 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM on 6 November. Some almanacs give about 6:17–8:15 PM. Timings change by city; check a local panchang.
When does trayodashi tithi start and end?
Trayodashi begins at about 10:30 AM on 6 November and ends at about 10:47 AM on 7 November.
What is the gold rate for Dhanteras?
See our live gold rate today page — 24K, 22K, 18K and silver, updated every 3 hours, with the past week's trend.
What should I check before buying gold?
3% GST on the full price including making charges, a 6-digit HUID hallmark, PAN for purchases above ₹2 lakh, and no cash payment of ₹2 lakh or more.
Diwali 2026 calendar
| Date | Day | Festival |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Nov | Friday | Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi) |
| 7 Nov | Saturday | Chhoti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) |
| 8 Nov | Sunday | Diwali — Lakshmi Puja; Muhurat trading 2:20–3:30 PM |
| 9–10 Nov | Mon–Tue | Govardhan Puja / Bali Pratipada (varies by state) |
| 11 Nov | Wednesday | Bhai Dooj |
What people buy on Dhanteras — and the money rules
| Option | GST | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Gold jewellery | 3% on gold + making charges | HUID hallmark, making charges in rupees, buy-back terms |
| Gold or silver coins / bars | 3% | Purity (999 / 995), tamper-proof pack, invoice |
| Digital gold (apps) | 3% | Not regulated by SEBI or RBI — SEBI has cautioned investors about such products |
| Gold ETF / gold mutual fund | No GST | Regulated by SEBI; needs a demat account (ETF) |
| Steel / brass utensils | As per item (mostly 5–18%) | Bill with GSTIN if you run a business |
Before you pay: checklist
- Check the day's rate on our gold rate today page and compare with the jeweller's per-gram rate.
- Ask for making charges in rupees, not just a percentage.
- Verify the HUID in the BIS CARE app.
- Give PAN for any purchase above ₹2 lakh; pay at least the amount above ₹1,99,999 by UPI, card or bank transfer.
- Keep the invoice — you need it for resale, insurance and capital-gains tax.
Full rules with examples: gold buying rules — GST, PAN, cash limit and HUID.
For jewellers and gift shops: bill the rush in DAM
- Open Search and type Add Product: set HSN Code 7113 and GST Rate (%) 3 for jewellery.
- Search New Sale for each bill; add making charges into the item value.
- Record payments with Receive Money → Add Payment Mode, so cash stays under ₹2 lakh per customer per day.
Festival rush? Bill every customer in seconds
Jewellers and gift shops: GST invoices, UPI receipts and stock in one app.
Sources
Content checked on 26 October 2026. Daily Jagran: Dhanteras 2026 date and muhurat · Hindutone: Dhanteras 2026 by city · Drik Panchang · BIS: hallmarking.
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute formal tax, legal or financial advice. Muhurat timings are from published almanacs and vary by city. Verify with a registered Chartered Accountant (CA) before acting.