Dhanteras Puja

Significance and when it is done

Dhanteras Puja, known in Sanskrit as धनत्रयोदशीपूजनम् (Dhanatrayodashi Pujan), is a festival puja observed on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi. It belongs to the category of festival pujas and is offered to Dhanvantari, Kuber and Yama.

The worship is tied to the Yama deepdaan — the offering of a lamp — which is a distinguishing feature of this occasion. Families approach the puja as a way of marking the day with devotion, and the Yama deepdaan is performed as part of it.

Because the tithi is reckoned differently in various regions and calendars, the exact day is best confirmed locally. This page does not fix a date; the muhurat is shown separately from data.

Who performs it and who should attend

The puja is usually conducted by a pandit, with the family participating. It is a household occasion, so those living in the home normally attend, and others may join as the family wishes.

It can also be done online. In that case, many pandits perform it by video call while a family member carries out the physical steps at home. This works well for families in the diaspora, provided one person is present to handle the lamp, offerings and the space itself.

There is no requirement in this brief about who must be present beyond that. Traditions differ from family to family, and it is reasonable to follow the practice of your own household.

Vidhi step by step (outline)

The following is an outline only. The precise sequence varies by tradition, region and the pandit conducting it.

• Sankalp — the family states the occasion and intention of the puja.
• Ganesh and kalash sthapana — the kalash is set up and the preliminaries are completed.
• Dhyana and avahana — invocation of Dhanvantari, Kuber and Yama according to the family's tradition.
• Shodashopachar or a shorter upchar — offerings of water, flowers, incense, lamp and naivedya, in the form the pandit follows.
• Yama deepdaan — the lamp offering that belongs to this day.
• Aarti and pranam — closing worship.

Havan: no. Dhanteras Puja as listed here does not include a havan.

Typical duration: about 45 min, depending on the tradition and how much is included.

Preparing the samagri and the space

Keeping the samagri ready before the pandit begins saves time and keeps the puja unhurried. The list below is the standard set for this puja.

• Roli (kumkum)
• Haldi
• Akshat (unbroken rice)
• Moli (sacred thread)
• Supari
• Paan leaves
• Coconut
• Ghee
• Diya and cotton wicks
• Camphor
• Incense sticks
• Flowers and garland
• Fruits
• Sweets for naivedya
• Ganga jal
• Kalash
• New utensil or silver
• Yama diya (four-wicked)
• Coriander seeds

For the space: clean the area where the puja will be held, set out a mat or chowki, place the kalash and the diya where they will not be knocked over, and keep the samagri within reach of the person doing the physical steps. If the puja is online, check the video call and lighting beforehand, and keep a small table free for the lamp and offerings.

If any item is not available locally, ask the pandit in advance what may be substituted in your tradition rather than assuming.

Regional variations

Practice differs across India and in the diaspora. The deities worshipped on this day — Dhanvantari, Kuber and Yama — may be emphasised differently from household to household, and the order of upchar can vary.

Calendar reckoning also differs. Where traditions diverge (North and South, Smarta and Vaishnava, amanta and purnimanta), families generally follow their own lineage and local custom. This guide does not pick one over another.

For anything tied to your personal chart or to a specific family tradition, consult a qualified jyotishi or your family pandit.

After the puja: prasad, daan, dos and don'ts

• Prasad — the naivedya offered during the puja is distributed as prasad after the aarti.
• Daan — giving forms part of the day for many families; follow your own tradition and the pandit's guidance.
• The Yama diya — the four-wicked lamp is part of the observance; place it as directed by the pandit conducting the puja.
• Do keep the puja area clean and the lamp attended while it burns.
• Do confirm the samagri and the sequence with the pandit beforehand if you are hosting for the first time.
• Don't treat the puja as a transaction with a promised outcome; it is an act of worship.
• Don't rush the Yama deepdaan or the closing aarti to save time.

Dakshina is set by each pandit individually; typical ranges are shown on the page from data, and exclude samagri and travel.