Dhanteras 2026 in Aurangabad: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate

TL;DR

• 🪔 Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, November 6 — the opening night of the five-day Diwali season
• 🛕 Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Shree Bhadra Maruti, and Datta Mandir are the city's top puja destinations
• 🌙 The evening Pradosh Kaal is the most auspicious window for Lakshmi and Dhanvantari puja
• 🪙 Buying gold, silver, or new utensils on this day is a cherished tradition that ushers in prosperity
• ✅ Confirm hours/details before you go, as schedules vary each year

Dhanteras opens the Diwali season, and in Aurangabad — officially known today as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar — it does so with unmistakable energy. The city comes alive with lit diyas, crowded markets, and temple bells as families and devotees prepare to welcome Dhanvantari and Lakshmi. From the ancient Jyotirlinga at Verul to the quietly observed home pujas in every neighborhood, November 6, 2026 promises the same layered celebration this city has observed for generations.

What Dhanteras Means

The name combines "Dhan" (wealth) and "Teras" (the thirteenth lunar day). Dhanteras falls on the thirteenth day of the dark half of Kartik month and is dedicated to Dhanvantari, the divine physician who emerged from the cosmic ocean carrying the vessel of nectar. It also marks the worship of Yama, the lord of death, with a lamp lit facing south to keep illness and untimely harm at bay.

In 2026, Dhanteras arrives on Friday, November 6. The puja muhurat falls during Pradosh Kaal — typically between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM in Maharashtra, though the exact window for Aurangabad will differ slightly from Pune. Check a local Marathi panchang or your temple's announcement for the precise 2026 muhurat; different locations see sunset at slightly different times.

The ritual at home begins with cleaning and lighting the threshold with diyas, creating rangoli at the entrance, and placing a lamp facing south. Coins, new utensils, or a small piece of silver are set on the altar to receive the blessing of Lakshmi.

Temples and Puja Spots in Aurangabad

The Aurangabad district holds some of Maharashtra's most significant shrines, and several see notable footfall during the Diwali period.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, located in Verul village roughly 30 kilometres from the city, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It is among the most visited pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra. The temple complex, built in the Hemadpanthi style and covering approximately 44,000 square feet, sees surge attendance through the Diwali week. Devotees making the trip to Ellora — home to the famous cave temples — typically include Grishneshwar as a key stop.

Shree Bhadra Maruti Temple in Khuldabad, a short drive from the city, is one of a very small number of temples in India where Lord Hanuman is depicted in a reclining posture. The temple draws steady pilgrims and is considered especially auspicious for blessings of health and protection.

Datta Mandir at Kranti Chowk is a well-attended destination within the city itself, particularly for evening prayers. The atmosphere during festival season draws families looking for a puja stop closer to home.

Shri Khandoba Temple and the Gajanan Maharaj Mandir are also popular options in and around the city with increased footfall during Diwali week. Confirm hours/details before you go, as temple schedules during festival periods can extend or shift from daily hours.

What to Buy and How to Celebrate

Markets across the city — from the lanes near Gulmandi to the commercial stretches in CIDCO — see their highest footfall of the year on Dhanteras evening. Jewelry shops, utensil vendors, and puja item stores stay open late.

Traditional purchases include gold and silver jewelry or coins, new metal utensils (brass, copper, steel), a broom to symbolize sweeping in Lakshmi's blessings, coriander seeds, and puja supplies. The tradition holds that any metal purchased on Dhanteras carries a year's worth of Lakshmi's blessing into the home.

Fireworks are traditionally lit in the days leading up to and on Diwali itself, and the markets around the old city supply the widest range of puja and festival materials.

Insider Tip: If you plan to visit Grishneshwar on Dhanteras, go early — before 8 AM — when the evening crowds have not yet gathered. The Ellora Caves complex nearby is also serene on early festival mornings and is a walk most city visitors skip entirely on a busy Dhanteras day.

The Five Days of Diwali 2026

Dhanteras sets the rhythm for what follows through the week:

• Day 1 — Dhanteras (Nov 6): Wealth puja, lamp lighting, gold and silver purchases
• Day 2 — Naraka Chaturdashi (Nov 7): Early-morning oil bath, Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura
• Day 3 — Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (Nov 8): The main night of lamps, puja, and sweets
• Day 4 — Govardhan Puja / Padwa (Nov 9): Celebration of Lord Krishna and the new year
• Day 5 — Bhai Dooj (Nov 10): Sibling celebration and family gatherings

FAQ

When is Dhanteras 2026 in Aurangabad? Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6, 2026. The auspicious puja muhurat is during Pradosh Kaal in the evening; confirm the precise Aurangabad timing with a trusted local panchang closer to the date.

What is the correct name — Aurangabad or Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar? The city was officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, though both names remain in common use. Temple and event listings may use either.

Which temples are open for Dhanteras puja? Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Shree Bhadra Maruti at Khuldabad, and Datta Mandir at Kranti Chowk are among the most visited. Most temples observe extended hours during the Diwali season.

What should I buy on Dhanteras? Gold, silver, new metal utensils, a broom, coriander seeds, and puja items are all considered auspicious. Any new metal purchase on this day is traditionally held to bring prosperity.

Is it auspicious to light a lamp facing south on Dhanteras? Yes. Lighting a diya facing south on Dhanteras evening is a traditional ritual dedicated to Yama, believed to protect the household from illness and untimely harm.

Bottom Line

Dhanteras 2026 arrives in Aurangabad on November 6 with all the weight and warmth the festival always carries — lit thresholds, crowded temples, and the collective readiness of a city welcoming prosperity. Whether you're visiting Grishneshwar or observing puja at home, plan ahead, check the local panchang for the exact muhurat, and confirm hours/details before you go.

For a full guide to the local festival season, see the Aurangabad Desi guide.