Most Homes Make 3 Mistakes on Dhanteras and Diwali - 2026

Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026. Choti Diwali diyas are on Saturday evening, 7 November. The Choti Diwali oil bath and Diwali are on Sunday, 8 November. You wait all year for these days. You clean the house, buy the diyas and plan the puja. Then one small mistake can spoil the day. A wrong day, a wrong time, a wrong dress.

This page is simple. It gives you the right day and time. It shows you the 3 mistakes that are easy to make and tells you how to fix each one in 2 minutes.

Table Of Contents

• Quick Answer (Read This First)

• Pick Your Case

• Mistake 1: Mixing Up the Two Choti Diwali Days

• Mistake 2: Doing Dhanteras and Lakshmi Puja at the Wrong Time

• Mistake 3: Wearing the Wrong Dress

• Dhanteras 2026: Friday, 6 November

• Your 4 Step Plan

• Do's and Don'ts

• Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Answer (Read This First)

Saturday, 7 November is the day in between. It is Choti Diwali evening, so light your diyas after sunset. The Choti Diwali oil bath is not on this day. It is on Sunday morning.

Pick Your Case

Mistake 1: Mixing Up the Two Choti Diwali Days

Choti Diwali means small Diwali. It has two parts this year. The evening diyas are on Saturday, 7 November. The oil bath is on Sunday, 8 November early in the morning. Sunday is also the day of Diwali. On Sunday morning, many families take an oil bath early. Then they wear clean clothes and light the first diyas of the day. If you take the oil bath on Saturday you are one day too early.

Fix it:

• Saturday: clean the house, make the rangoli and light the diyas in the evening.

• Sunday morning: take the oil bath and light the early diyas.

• Tell everyone at home the plan today: diyas on Saturday evening, oil bath on Sunday morning.

Mistake 2: Doing Dhanteras and Lakshmi Puja at the Wrong Time

Dhanteras puja is on Friday, 6 November. Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday, 8 November. Both are done in the evening after sunset. For most homes this is about 6 PM to 8 PM.
Many families believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits clean and bright homes in the evening. So the time matters. A wrong time often comes from two things. People mix times from many places. Or they start at the last minute. Then you rush, and the puja is not calm.

Fix it:

• Pick one time and keep it for the whole puja.

• Be ready one hour before. Set a phone alarm for 5 PM.

• Keep your puja thali ready before you sit.

What to Keep in Your Puja Thali

• A diya and a little oil or ghee

• Rice and flowers

• Sweets

• Coins

• Kumkum or haldi

Use the same plan for both pujas.

Mistake 3: Wearing the Wrong Dress

The puja is in the evening, in diya light. You sit, stand and bend many times for 2 to 3 hours. A wrong dress makes this hard. It can also be unsafe near a diya. Your dress does not need to be heavy or costly. It needs to be neat, soft and bright.

Colour Guide

• Red, pink, yellow, orange and green look good in diya light.

• Many families do not wear black on Dhanteras.

• Very dark colours are hard to see in low light, so keep them for another day.

Dress Guide

• Choose a light, soft cloth that is easy to wear.

• Pin your pallu or dupatta well.

• Keep loose ends away from the diya.

• Wear the saree one hour before the puja. Sit down once to see if it feels good.

Fix it: Pick your dress before Friday and keep it ready. For festive sarees, see the Diwali Special collection at KCPC Bandhani. If you order online, order a few days early. Delivery takes time.

Dhanteras 2026: Friday, 6 November

Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali time. The puja is in the evening, at about 6 PM to 8 PM. Many families believe that buying something new on this day brings good luck. Many families also light one diya at the door in the evening. They believe this diya keeps the family safe.
You do not need to spend a lot. A small brass diya, a new broom or a packet of coriander seeds is also a good buy.

What Many Families Buy

• A gold or silver coin

• Brass or silver pots

• A new broom

• Coriander seeds (dhaniya)

What Many Families Do Not Buy

• Sharp iron or steel things

• Glass

• Empty pots

• Black clothes

Every family has its own way. Follow your family way.

Your 4 Step Plan

1. Friday, 6 November: Buy what you want for Dhanteras. Light one diya at the door in the evening. Do the puja.

2. Saturday, 7 November: Clean the house and make the rangoli. Light the Choti Diwali diyas in the evening. Keep the puja things and sweets ready. Iron your dress.

3. Sunday morning, 8 November: Take the oil bath and light the early diyas.

4. Sunday evening, 8 November: Get dressed one hour before. A red or yellow Bandhani Saree is a classic puja pick. Do Lakshmi Puja in the evening. Light diyas around the house.

Do's and Don'ts

Do

• Keep the puja things ready one day before.

• Keep a bowl of water near the diyas.

• Keep your phone charged for puja photos.

• Ask the elders in your home about your family way.

Don't

• Do not light diyas near curtains or loose cloth.

• Do not copy how another family does puja. Follow your own way.

• Do not rush the puja just for photos.

• Do not leave a lit diya alone with small children.

Will you wear a saree near the diyas? Read our guide on 2 mistakes women make at Diwali puja. It tells you about colour and safety near the diya.

Conclusion

Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November. Light Choti Diwali diyas on Saturday evening, 7 November. The oil bath and Diwali puja are on Sunday, 8 November. Plan your three days early. Keep your dress ready. Then your evenings will be calm and happy. Every family has its own way, so follow your elders and keep the puja simple. A clean home, a warm diya and a happy heart matter most. Still need a dress? See the Festive Saree collection and order a few days early. We wish you a very happy Dhanteras and a very happy Diwali from all of us at KCPC Bandhani.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Dhanteras in 2026?
Ans. Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026.

2. When is Diwali in 2026?
Ans. Diwali and Lakshmi Puja are on Sunday, 8 November 2026.

3. When is Choti Diwali in 2026?
Ans. Choti Diwali has two parts. Light diyas on Saturday evening, 7 November. Take the oil bath on Sunday morning, 8 November.

4. What is the best time for Lakshmi Puja?
Ans. The best time is the evening, after sunset. For most homes it is about 6 PM to 8 PM.

5. What is the best time for Dhanteras puja?
Ans. It is also the evening. On Friday, 6 November, it is about 6 PM to 8 PM for most homes.

6. What should I buy on Dhanteras?
Ans. Many families buy a gold or silver coin, brass or silver pots, a new broom or coriander seeds. Buy what fits your money and your family way.

7. What should I not buy on Dhanteras?
Ans. Many families do not buy sharp iron or steel things, glass or empty pots. Some families also do not wear black on this day.

8. What should I wear for Lakshmi Puja?
Ans. Wear a light, soft dress in warm colours like red, pink or yellow. Keep it ready one day before.