Dhanteras 2026 Silver Buying Guide: Date, Timings, What to Buy and What to Check

Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi) falls on Friday, 6 November 2026, two days before Diwali on Sunday, 8 November. For many Indian families it is an auspicious day to buy silver, gold and new utensils. Silver suits almost any budget: a small coin, a bar, a diya, a puja item, a utensil or a piece of jewellery.

But the price you pay depends on more than the day's rate. Purity, weight, making charges, dealer premium and GST all change the final bill. This guide covers the date, city-wise puja timings, what to buy and how to avoid overpaying.

₹189.53 per gram999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

Rate as of 24 Oct 2026, 6:12 am IST.

Why 6 November is the date

Dhanteras is observed on Trayodashi, the thirteenth lunar day of the Krishna Paksha. In 2026, published panchang calculations place Trayodashi from the morning of Friday, 6 November to the morning of Saturday, 7 November, which covers the evening of 6 November when Dhanteras puja is commonly performed.

The exact muhurat depends on your location and the panchang tradition your family follows, so check local timings before planning a ritual around a specific time.

Puja timings for six cities

These are local times from published panchang calculations. Confirm with your preferred panchang or family tradition. Many families buy silver earlier in the day and do the puja in the evening, so you can compare prices well before the muhurat.

What does silver cost on Dhanteras?

The market rate moves with international silver prices, the rupee and domestic conditions, not the festival. Here is the live 999 rate at different weights:

₹189.53 per gram999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

₹1,895.25 for 10 g999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

₹18,952.53 for 100 g999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

₹1,89,525.3 per kg999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

These are metal values only. What you pay at the shop also includes the product's premium or making charges and GST. A plain coin and a decorative diya can hold similar silver yet sell at very different prices. Check the full table on the silver rate page before you visit a jeweller.

See today's silver rate

Worked example: 100 g of silver

Here is 100 g of 999 silver at the live rate, then with an assumed 5% premium (a plain bar) and an assumed 15% premium (a decorative item). The premiums are examples, not quotes.

₹18,952.53 for 100 g999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

₹19,900.16 for 100 g incl. 5% making999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

₹21,795.41 for 100 g incl. 15% making999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

GST, commonly 3% on silver, is added on top, and may apply to the premium too depending on how the seller invoices. Verify the treatment on your bill. The point: two products with the same silver can cost very different amounts. Run your own numbers with the silver price calculator and compare with the seller's full quote.

Open the silver price calculator

What people buy on Dhanteras

1. Silver coins

Popular for gifts and festive buys, and available in small weights for modest budgets. Check purity, net weight, premium and resale policy. See silver coins vs silver bars for the full comparison, and use the coin calculator to see the premium you are paying.

2. Silver bars

Worth comparing if you want a larger quantity. Bigger bars may have a lower premium per gram, but think about storage and how you would sell. Our guide on how to buy silver in India covers the process end to end.

3. Silver diyas and puja items

Diyas, small bowls and puja thalis can be used at festivals and through the year. They often carry higher making charges than plain bullion, so compare the net silver weight and final price, not just the sticker.

4. Silver utensils

Small bowls, glasses, plates and spoons make festive gifts and keepsakes. Check that the piece is solid silver, its stated purity, and whether the quoted weight includes non-silver parts.

5. Silver jewellery

Anklets, rings, chains and earrings are practical gifts. Look for the purity mark, making charges, GST and exchange terms. Design costs are rarely recovered on resale. The jewellery calculator adds making charges and GST to the metal value, and how to read a silver bill shows what each line means.

Open the jewellery calculator

Coins or bars on Dhanteras?

There is no universal winner. Compare the same weight and purity, and decide whether a design or convenience is worth its premium.

Chaturmas and Dhanteras

Chaturmas is a four-month period observed in several Hindu traditions, with dates and practices that vary by region. In 2026 some calendars place its end after Dhanteras. Some families show restraint during this time while others follow the usual custom of buying silver or gold on Dhanteras. It is a matter of personal and family tradition, not a financial rule. If the timing matters to you, follow the panchang and guidance your family uses.

How to avoid overpaying

1. Check the rate before you leave home. Note the purity, unit and update time, and do not compare 999 silver with other purities unadjusted.
2. Compare two or three sellers on the same weight, purity and product, and judge by the final bill.
3. Ask how premium or making charges are worked out: flat, percentage or per gram.
4. Verify purity and paperwork: the stated purity, markings and any hallmark or refinery certificate. Not every silver item has the same certification.
5. Get an itemised invoice with weight, price, charges, GST and total.
6. Ask about buyback, including deductions and testing charges. The premium may not come back when you sell.
7. Do not rush. An auspicious day does not oblige you to accept the first quote.

Our silver hallmarking guide explains what the marks mean, and sterling vs fine silver helps you read the purity on a product.

A simple plan before Dhanteras

• Now: set a total budget and decide whether the priority is gifting, religious use, jewellery or collecting physical silver.
• Next week: check the rate and collect quotes from two or three sellers for the same purity and weight.
• Before Dhanteras: pick your product. For a particular coin, bar or utensil, ask about advance booking, payment terms and cancellation.
• On 6 November: recheck the rate, verify the product and invoice, and make sure the final price matches the agreed quote.
• Afterwards: keep the invoice and documents, store the silver safely, and note its weight and purity.

What your budget buys

The weight you get depends on the rate, purity and extra charges. Here is how many grams of 999 silver each budget buys at the live rate, before any premium or GST. A premium and tax will lower these figures, and decorative items lower them more.

5.28 g for ₹1,000999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

26.38 g for ₹5,000999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

52.76 g for ₹10,000999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

131.91 g for ₹25,000999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

263.82 g for ₹50,000999 silver, live rate (delayed). Excludes GST and dealer premium.

For a different amount, enter it in the silver to INR calculator and then compare with your seller's actual quote.

Open the silver to INR calculator

What Dhanteras is about

Dhanteras is associated with Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Dhanvantari, who is linked with health and Ayurveda. For many families, buying something new on this day symbolises welcoming prosperity into the home. Gold and silver are traditional choices, as are utensils and other household items.

The significance of the day is not measured by the amount spent. A small silver coin can mean as much as a larger purchase. Choose what fits your budget and purpose, and do not feel pressured to spend more because it is a festival.

Sources and notes

• Dhanteras date and puja timings: published city-specific panchang calculations such as Drik Panchang. Confirm your city's current listing.
• GST on silver (heading 7106): commonly 3%. Confirm the classification and treatment for the product you buy.
• Rates: SilverMitra's live rate, shown with its update time. See our methodology for how it is built.

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