Dhanteras evening is busy: shopping, cleaning, lamps and guests, and a pooja that must start at the right time. A pandit brings the vidhi, keeps to the muhurat and leads the prayers so you can host without worrying about the sequence.
Why it is done
Dhanteras falls on the thirteenth tithi of Krishna paksha in Kartik and begins the Diwali festival days. Many families worship Lakshmi, Ganesh and Kubera, and Dhanvantari, and light diyas at the entrance. Customs differ by region and family.
Who it is for
Families who mark Dhanteras at home; shop owners and business families who do a pooja at the premises; households who want a pandit-led pooja for the first time.
When to do it
Dhanteras follows the panchang each year, and the evening pradosh kaal is commonly chosen. Your pandit can suggest muhurat options for your date and city. Your family's custom takes priority.
Choose your ceremony
About 1 hour for the standard ceremony; about 1.5 hours for the extended one.
- Live video puja: A live video version works well if the family is abroad or in another city: the pandit leads on video and you follow along at home. You arrange the samagri yourself, and a helper at home makes it easier.
- Standard: The standard ceremony: about 18 steps over roughly 1 hour with one pandit, covering sankalp, Ganesh and kalash worship, Lakshmi pooja and aarti.
- Extended: The extended ceremony: about 27 steps over roughly 1.5 hours with one pandit, with a fuller sequence including more deity worship and offerings.
Choose the standard for a home pooja on a busy evening. Choose the extended for a larger family gathering or a business premises.
Choose 'With samagri' and the pandit brings the ritual items. Choose 'Own samagri' if you already have them or prefer to buy them yourself. The Vedic Rituals Dhanteras Kit packs related essentials if you want to arrange samagri yourself; your pandit will tell you if anything specific to this ritual needs adding.
The sequence
- Purification and sankalp
- Ganesh worship to begin
- Kalash sthapana
- Kuldevi worship if your family follows it
- Lakshmi and Ganesh pooja
- Offerings and shodashopachara
- Aarti
- Bhog and prasad
How to prepare
- Clean the home and entrance before the evening
- Keep a clean raised surface for the idols and kalash
- Keep diyas, flowers, sweets and the items you plan to worship ready
- Keep ready the new purchases some families bring to the pooja
- Tell the pandit your family's deities and customs
- Decide whether you will use the pandit's samagri or your own
Who should attend
The household, led by the head of the family. Children and guests can join for the aarti and prasad.
Your tradition
Some families worship Dhanvantari, others focus on Lakshmi and Kubera, and some also worship tools or accounts. Rituals vary across Gujarati, Maharashtrian, North Indian and South Indian homes. Share yours when booking.
Safety
The ritual uses diyas and incense. Keep lamps on a stable surface, away from curtains and decorations, and keep children and pets at a safe distance.
Questions
What is the right time? Many families use the evening pradosh kaal, but practice varies. Your pandit can suggest options.
How long should I plan for? About 1 hour for the standard and about 1.5 hours for the extended ceremony.
Can we do it at the shop or office? Yes. Many business families do. Tell us the location when booking.
Do I need to buy something specific? Many families make a small purchase on Dhanteras, but it is a custom, not a requirement for the pooja.
Can we do it on video? Yes, if you arrange samagri yourself and have a helper at home.