By Friday afternoon, the queue outside most jewellers will stretch onto the pavement. Plenty of those buyers won’t know the timing that really counts. Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November 2026, the first of Diwali’s five days. Families worship Goddess Lakshmi, Kubera and Lord Dhanvantari once the Sun has set. A little planning around the clock and the planets can make the first festive purchase far luckier.
When to Buy and When to Pray
Trayodashi enters at around 10:30 AM on Friday. From then until roughly 10:47 AM on Saturday, every purchase carries Dhanteras merit.The puja is a different matter. It works best in pradosh kaal while Vrishabha lagna rises in the east. A sthir, or fixed, lagna keeps Lakshmi from wandering off once she enters the house.In New Delhi, that overlap runs from 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM. Jaipur gets 6:11 PM to 8:07 PM, while Hyderabad has 6:15 PM to 8:13 PM. Chennai’s window is 6:14 PM to 8:10 PM. Pune starts later, at 6:32 PM, ending at 8:31 PM.Once the puja ends, place a single lamp outside the main door with its flame pointing south. This Yama deepdaan guards the family against untimely loss.
Why This Friday Needs Caution
Friday belongs to Shukra, the planet of luxury. On paper, that sounds perfect for buying gold. But Venus is retrograde and moves into sidereal Kanya, its sign of debilitation, on Dhanteras morning. Budh is retrograde as well until 13 November.So buy, but buy small. A modest gold coin with a proper hallmark beats a big set on a loan. Electronics are better bought after mid-November.
A Lucky Buy for Every Rashi
Mesha: Copper suits a Mars-ruled sign. A copper glass for drinking water is a simple pick.Vrishabha: Silver strengthens your lord Shukra. Bring home a silver coin with Lakshmi on it.Mithuna: A kansa thali works better than any gadget while Budh is retrograde.Karka: Your Moon loves silver. A small chandi katori for Diwali prasad is ideal.Simha: Even a tiny piece of gold keeps Surya, your lord, happy all year.Kanya: Weak Venus sits in your sign on Dhanteras. Choose something practical, like a bronze lota or a tulsi plant.Tula: Keep jewellery light this time. A white silk dupatta or a silver bell for the mandir suits you better.Vrishchik: Buy a copper diya. Keep any pending property papers near the Kubera puja too.Dhanu: Brass belongs to Guru. A brass Lakshmi-Ganesh pair is a fine choice.Makar: Steel utensils serve Shani well. They are sturdy, useful and long-lasting.Kumbh: Pick something built to last, such as a good steel kadhai for the family kitchen.Meena: A Gita or Ramayana for the home invites Jupiter’s blessing.
For Every Home
Two buys suit everyone. A fresh broom welcomes Lakshmi and pushes poverty out, so tie a white thread on it before first use. Whole coriander seeds offered at the puja can be sown in a pot later, and the sprouts are read as a sign of growing wealth.
Things to Skip
Iron, sharp blades and glass items are best left at the shop. Black goods also stay off the list on Dhanteras.A new utensil should never enter the house empty. Drop in a few grains of rice before stepping inside.
