Have you started thinking about Diwali shopping yet? If you’re wondering when is Dhanteras in 2025, the short answer is: mark your calendar for October 18, 2025. Dhanteras, the festival that opens the five-day Diwali celebration, is the traditional day for buying metal items, lighting lamps, and inviting prosperity into the home.
What date and time is Dhanteras in 2025
Dhanteras (also called Dhantrayodashi) in 2025 falls on Saturday, October 18. The Trayodashi tithi begins on October 18 and continues into October 19, which creates some confusion about the “correct” day, but the customary Dhanteras puja and evening muhurat are observed on October 18 in most calendars. Local muhurat timings vary by city, so many families check their regional panchang or trusted calendar for the exact one-hour window for the Lakshmi-Kuber puja.
Why the date sometimes looks different
Hindu festival dates follow the lunar tithi, not the Gregorian calendar, so a tithi can overlap two Gregorian days. That’s why the Trayodashi tithi for Dhanteras spans parts of October 18 and 19 in 2025.
Communities usually observe Dhanteras on the day when the key puja muhurat falls in the evening, which in 2025 is on October 18.
Some families also consider local sunrise-sunset rules and the family guru’s guidance when deciding the exact moment to perform rituals.
Traditions and significance: quick guide
Dhanteras literally means “wealth on the thirteenth” (Dhan = wealth; Teras = thirteenth lunar day), marking the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight before Amavasya.
People worship Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and Lord Kubera for wealth; many also worship Lord Dhanvantari for health and wellbeing.
Buying new metal items—especially gold, silver, or tools—is considered auspicious and symbolic of inviting durable prosperity into the household.
Homes are cleaned and decorated with diyas (oil lamps) and rangoli to welcome the goddess of wealth.
Businesses often open new account books or start accounting records on Dhanteras, a tradition linked to good financial beginnings.
Did you know? Many healthcare workers and Ayurvedic practitioners remember Dhanteras as the day Lord Dhanvantari, the mythic physician, appeared holding the nectar of immortality—so the day connects wealth with health in cultural practice.
How to celebrate Dhanteras step-by-step
Clean and prepare your home early in the day; tidy spaces are part of the ritual to welcome Lakshmi.
Buy a small metal item, coin, or piece of jewelry as a symbolic purchase—some prefer gold or silver, others choose practical metal cookware or tools.
In the evening, light diyas and incense at doorways and puja altars to invite light and good fortune.
Perform a simple Lakshmi-Kuber puja or follow your family’s traditional vidhi; many people recite Lakshmi stotras and offer sweets, flowers, and fruits.
Close the day by placing the new purchase near the altar or in a place of honor to bless it for the year ahead.
Mini Q&A: Common Dhanteras questions
Q: Is it mandatory to buy gold on Dhanteras?
A: No; buying metal is symbolic. Choose what fits your budget—small coins, silverware, or even a new tool are common and auspicious choices.
Q: Can non-Hindus observe Dhanteras?
A: Yes. Many people from various backgrounds enjoy the rituals of light, family gatherings, and the cultural meaning of wishing prosperity.
Q: Should businesses close or open on Dhanteras?
A: Traditions vary—some businesses open new ledger books or begin accounting cycles on Dhanteras, while others simply observe it as a holiday for family puja.
A bit of history and cultural notes
Dhanteras marks the beginning of the Diwali festival cycle, which climaxes on Lakshmi Puja and the night of Diwali itself.
Over centuries, the festival blended regional practices: some communities emphasize trade and commerce (invoking Kubera), others emphasize healing (invoking Dhanvantari).
The modern emphasis on buying precious metals also has historical roots in both ritual significance and practical wealth preservation.
Personal reflection
Every year I love how Dhanteras mixes practicality with ritual: the same act—buying a simple metal spoon or coin—becomes a symbolic wish for safety, health, and steady income. The rituals invite pause in a busy season, and small traditions—like lighting a row of diyas on the doorstep—create connective family moments that stick with you longer than the shopping receipts.
Wrap up: remember, when is Dhanteras in 2025? It’s October 18, 2025, the evening muhurat being the customary time for the puja. Are you planning to buy something special this year or try a new family ritual—share what you’ll be doing?