The rule behind the date
Dhanteras is the thirteenth tithi (Trayodashi) of the dark half of the lunar month. It is Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi in the Amanta calendar used in Maharashtra and Gujarat, and Kartik Krishna Trayodashi in the Purnimanta calendar used in most of North India. The two names describe the same day.
Inner Light uses one rule for the civil date: Dhanteras is the day on which Trayodashi is present during Pradosh Kaal, the 2 hour 24 minute window after local sunset. Pradosh is counted as three muhurtas of 48 minutes each. A tithi is not tied to the clock, so it can start and end at any hour, which is why the date has to be worked out for each place.
In 2026 the answer is the same everywhere. Trayodashi begins in the early hours of 6 November in universal time and ends about a day later, so it covers the sunset of 6 November in every city in the table, and it has not yet started at sunset on 5 November or already ended by sunset on 7 November.
Sunset and Pradosh Kaal by city on 6 November 2026
Times are local, for the centre of each city. Sunset is truncated to the minute from the almanac engine, and Pradosh ends 2 hours 24 minutes later.
| City | Date | Local sunset | Pradosh Kaal window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Fri 6 Nov | 5:32 pm | 5:32 pm to 7:56 pm |
| Mumbai | Fri 6 Nov | 6:03 pm | 6:03 pm to 8:27 pm |
| Dubai | Fri 6 Nov | 5:35 pm | 5:35 pm to 7:59 pm |
| Singapore | Fri 6 Nov | 6:50 pm | 6:50 pm to 9:14 pm |
| Sydney | Fri 6 Nov | 7:27 pm | 7:27 pm to 9:51 pm |
| London | Fri 6 Nov | 4:25 pm | 4:25 pm to 6:49 pm |
| New York | Fri 6 Nov | 4:46 pm | 4:46 pm to 7:10 pm |
| Chicago | Fri 6 Nov | 4:38 pm | 4:38 pm to 7:02 pm |
| Houston | Fri 6 Nov | 5:31 pm | 5:31 pm to 7:55 pm |
| Los Angeles | Fri 6 Nov | 4:55 pm | 4:55 pm to 7:19 pm |
| Toronto | Fri 6 Nov | 5:02 pm | 5:02 pm to 7:26 pm |
Clocks in North America have gone back to standard time by 6 November, since daylight saving time ended on 1 November. Sydney is on daylight saving time, which began in October.
Choosing a time inside the window
Many families aim for the early part of Pradosh Kaal, shortly after sunset, because that is when the lamps are lit. Some almanacs also name a narrower puja muhurta inside the window that matches a steady (sthira) rising sign. That narrower slot depends on the local rising sign, so check a panchang for your own city if your family follows it.
For a working day, a simple plan is to light the lamp at sunset, do the short Lakshmi and Dhanvantari prayer after work, and keep the Yamadeepam lamp for after dark. Nothing in the tradition requires a long ritual for the day to count.
Yamadeepam
The lamp for Yama is lit after dark on the same Trayodashi, placed outside the home facing south. Where open flames are not allowed at a front door, an electric lamp or a candle in a safe holder serves the same purpose.
Why the other four days can differ by city
Dhanteras lands on the same date everywhere this year, but the next festivals in the five day sequence do not. Chaturdashi, the Amavasya of Diwali and the days after it begin and end at different civil dates in Asia and in North America. See Diwali 2026 by city for the full table.
Check your own city
The table covers eleven cities. For any other place, open the Inner Light panchang for 6 November 2026 and read the local sunset, then add 2 hours and 24 minutes. Astrology and panchang are traditions of reflection and observance, and this page is for information only.
Frequently asked questions
What is the date of Dhanteras in 2026? Friday 6 November 2026 in every city listed on this page.
What time is the Dhanteras puja? In the evening, within Pradosh Kaal, which starts at local sunset and lasts 2 hours 24 minutes.
Is Dhanteras on the same day as Diwali? No. Diwali Lakshmi Puja is on 8 November 2026, two days later.
Why does the date sometimes differ between cities? The tithi has no fixed clock time, and sunset differs by city. Some years the tithi covers sunset on one evening in one city and on the next in another.