Dhanteras Dos and Don'ts: Things to Do and Avoid

Dhanteras is observed for health, wealth, and prosperity, and it marks the start of the five-day Diwali festival. The most important practices include cleaning the home, buying an auspicious item, lighting lamps, and performing puja. People traditionally avoid certain purchases and money-related activities.

Quick Answer: Dhanteras Dos & Don'ts

To help bring about an auspicious and blessed celebration, keep these traditional rules of thumb in mind for the day:

Do on Dhanteras	Don't do on Dhanteras
Clean and decorate the home.	Leave the house cluttered or dirty.
Buy gold, silver, utensils, a broom, or diyas.	Buy knives, scissors, iron, black items, glassware, or empty vessels.
Perform Dhanvantari, Lakshmi, and Kubera puja.	Skip evening lamps and puja.
Light a diya or Yam Deepak after sunset.	Keep the entrance dark.
Eat sattvic or vegetarian food if observing.	Eat non-veg, eggs, onion, or garlic if following tradition.
Give daan, food, or essentials to those in need	Lend money, borrow money, or repay loans.
Complete haircuts, shaving, and nail-cutting beforehand.	Cut hair or nails on the day, especially in the evening.
Consult a specific muhurat for Griha Pravesh	Assume Dhanteras is automatically auspicious for moving into a new home.
Avoid arguments and impulsive spending.	Avoid debt-funded or unnecessary purchases.

Dos on Dhanteras

Clean and Decorate the Home

A clean home is believed to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Cleaning is usually the first task of the day.

• Clean the entrance, puja room, kitchen, and living areas.
• Remove unused or broken items.
• Decorate with rangoli, flowers, torans, and lamps.
• Keep the main door well lit in the evening.

Buy an Auspicious Item

Buying something new is among the most popular things done on Dhanteras. Gold is traditional but not compulsory.

• Gold, silver, a metal utensil, a coin, a diya, a broom, or coriander seeds are all suitable.
• A new utensil should be brought home filled with rice, sugar, or water rather than empty.
• A small silver coin or diya is enough if gold is not affordable. Intention matters more than the price.

Perform Dhanteras Puja

Evening puja is the heart of the festival. Worship is offered to three deities for different blessings.

• Lord Dhanvantari is worshipped for health and healing.
• Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera are worshipped for prosperity and wealth.
• The newly bought item is placed before the deities on a clean cloth.
• Flowers, roli, akshat, sweets, water, and a lamp are offered.

Light the Yam Deepak

Lighting a lamp for Lord Yama is one of the most distinctive customs of Dhanteras. It is a prayer for protection, long life, and freedom from fear.

• A lamp is lit at dusk and placed outside the main entrance, traditionally facing south.
• Many families light 13 lamps.
• The lamps may be kept burning through the evening or night, as per family custom.

Give Daan or Help Others

Charity is considered especially auspicious on Dhanteras.

• Food, clothes, medicines, essentials, or money can be donated to those in need.
• Feeding the needy, supporting a community kitchen, or helping workers fits the spirit of the day.

Maintain a Peaceful Atmosphere

• Speak kindly and avoid quarrels.
• Spend time with family.
• Keep the home calm, clean, and devotional.

Don'ts on Dhanteras

Avoid Inauspicious Purchases

Some items are traditionally not bought on this day. This answers the common question of what not to do on Dhanteras when shopping.

• Knives, scissors, blades, and other sharp objects, which are linked with conflict.
• Iron items and, in many traditions, aluminium items.
• Black clothing, footwear, or décor.
• Glass and ceramic items, if the family follows that custom.
• An empty utensil. A new vessel should always be filled before it enters the home.

Can We Lend Money on Dhanteras?

Traditionally, no. Wealth is believed to flow into the home on this day, not out of it.

• Lending money is avoided.
• Borrowing money is avoided, as the day is meant to begin the year with stability rather than debt.
• Repaying loans and casual monetary transfers are also best avoided.
• Buying gold or other expensive items on debt goes against the spirit of the festival.

Giving daan to the needy is different from lending. Charitable giving is considered auspicious, while a loan is not.

Can We Eat Non-Veg on Dhanteras?

Most observing Hindu families avoid non-veg on Dhanteras. Eating non-veg on Dhanteras is generally discouraged because the day is devotional.

• Meat, fish, eggs, onion, and garlic are avoided in traditional households.
• Simple vegetarian or sattvic food is preferred.
• Alcohol is also avoided, especially before puja.

This is a common family and regional practice, not a universal rule. There is no single scriptural prohibition that applies to everyone.

Can We Cut Hair on Dhanteras?

Traditional practice discourages haircuts, shaving, and nail-cutting on Dhanteras, especially in the afternoon or evening.

• These tasks are best completed the previous day.
• If needed, they can be done early in the morning.
• Washing hair is not universally prohibited, but bathing and grooming are usually finished before the evening rituals.

Griha Pravesh on Dhanteras

Many astrologers and Vastu practitioners advise against griha pravesh on Dhanteras.

• Vastu is believed to be in a dormant state during this period.
• Dhanteras falls within Chaturmas, when major auspicious ceremonies such as housewarming, marriage, and naming ceremonies are traditionally avoided.

If Dhanteras griha pravesh cannot be avoided, a verified astrologer should be consulted for a personalized muhurat.

Avoid Negativity and Excess

• Gambling is avoided.
• Arguments, harsh speech, and family conflict are best kept away.
• Impulsive purchases made only because it is Dhanteras go against the idea of mindful spending.

What To Buy on Dhanteras

Many people ask what should be bought on Dhanteras. The following items are considered auspicious.

Auspicious items

• Gold or silver coins, bars, or jewelry
• Brass, copper, bronze, or steel utensils
• Silver articles
• Idols of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kubera, or Lord Dhanvantari
• Diyas, wicks, and puja items
• A new broom
• Coriander seeds or kauri

Budget-friendly alternatives

• A small silver coin
• A steel or brass utensil
• A diya or lamp
• A broom
• Coriander seeds
• A useful kitchen or household item

Items to avoid buying

• Knives, scissors, and sharp tools
• Iron items
• Black items
• Glassware and ceramic items
• Empty utensils
• Anything bought under financial pressure

Closing Note

Dhanteras customs differ across regions, communities, and families, so the household tradition is the best guide to follow. The core intention remains the same everywhere: cleanliness, gratitude, health, prosperity, and welcoming positivity into the home.