Dhanteras 2026 in Columbia: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate
TL;DR
Dhanteras 2026 in Columbia MD is November 6. The city has two local Hindu organisations — Dayalbagh Radhasoami Satsang and Sree Sitarama Hanuman Devotion and Charity — while the broader DMV area offers one of the richest Diwali festival calendars on the East Coast.
Dhanteras 2026: Dates and Significance
Dhanteras falls on November 6, 2026, marking the start of the Diwali festival period. Dhan (wealth) + Teras (thirteenth) refers to the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Kartik month, and the tradition of purchasing gold, silver, or metal objects on this day is observed across Hindu households. It is considered the most auspicious day of the year to buy precious metals, and jewellery stores across Maryland and Virginia see their busiest day of the year.
Dhanteras is immediately followed by:
- November 6 — Pradosh Vrat (same day as Dhanteras)
- November 8 — Diwali 2026 (a Sunday 🪔)
- November 8 — Amavasya
- November 10 — Bhai Dooj 2026
The Full Autumn Festival Calendar for Columbia
The run from Navratri through Bhai Dooj is the most concentrated festival period, and Columbia's Hindu community observes it fully:
- Sep 22 — Ekadashi
- Sep 24 — Pradosh Vrat
- Sep 26 — Purnima
- Oct 06 — Ekadashi
- Oct 08 — Pradosh Vrat
- Oct 10 — Amavasya
- Oct 11 — Navratri 2026 begins ✨
- Oct 18 — Durga Ashtami
- Oct 20 — Dussehra / Vijayadashami
- Oct 21 — Ekadashi
- Oct 23 — Pradosh Vrat
- Oct 25 — Purnima
- Oct 29 — Karva Chauth 2026
- Oct 29 — Sankashti Chaturthi
- Nov 04 — Ekadashi
- Nov 06 — Dhanteras 2026 🪔
- Nov 06 — Pradosh Vrat
- Nov 08 — Diwali 2026 🪔
- Nov 08 — Amavasya
- Nov 10 — Bhai Dooj 2026
Hindu Organisations in Columbia
Dayalbagh Radhasoami Satsang Association Of North America at 5166 Downwest Ride, Columbia, MD 21044 is a centre for the Radhasoami spiritual tradition, a devotional path originating in Agra that emphasises inner spiritual practice and community satsang. Dayalbagh followers in the US gather for regular meditation and discourse sessions, and the Columbia centre serves the broader Maryland Radhasoami community.
Sree Sitarama Hanuman Devotion and Charity at 8776 Sage Brush Way, Columbia, MD 21045 serves Columbia's South Indian Hindu community with devotional programmes centred on Sitarama and Hanuman worship. The organisation also undertakes charitable activities as part of its community mission, reflecting the tradition of seva (service) alongside puja.
Dhanteras Puja: What to Do at Home
For those celebrating Dhanteras at home, the puja is relatively straightforward. Clean and decorate the home on the evening of November 6. Light diyas at the entrance to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Place the gold or silver items you purchased on a clean cloth with some rice, turmeric and kumkum. Offer flowers, incense and prasad (typically mishri or sweets). Many families include the Lakshmi-Kuber puja on this evening alongside the Dhanvantari worship (Dhanteras is also associated with the god of medicine).
A small row of diyas at the entrance facing south is the traditional gesture for repelling Yama, the god of death, on Dhanteras night — this specific practice is observed in some North Indian traditions.
Shopping for Dhanteras Near Columbia 💛
The DMV South Asian retail corridor along MD-650 (New Hampshire Ave) in Silver Spring and the Dulles Tech Corridor in Sterling, Virginia are the two main hubs for Indian jewellery and gold retail near Columbia. In Howard County itself, the growth of Indian-owned businesses in Columbia and Ellicott City has added more options in recent years. For gold coins and investment-grade jewellery, established Indian jewellers in the metro area offer the best value on Dhanteras.
Insider Tip
In the DMV, the largest community Diwali events are typically in Northern Virginia (Dulles, Ashburn) and the greater DC area. Columbia residents looking for a big public Diwali celebration often drive to the Diwali events in Herndon or the large BAPS Diwali in the area. Plan your route and purchase tickets in advance — these events sell out.
FAQ
What is Dhanteras and why do people buy gold on this day? Dhanteras marks the thirteenth tithi of Kartik Krishna Paksha. The practice of buying gold, silver or metal (traditionally kitchen utensils) comes from the belief that new purchases on this day will multiply in prosperity throughout the year. It is the largest single day for gold retail in India and Indian diaspora communities.
Is Diwali 2026 on a weekend? Yes — Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, making it ideal for family celebrations, community events and extended festivities.
Are there Diwali public events near Columbia, MD? The National Diwali at the White House and multiple community events across the DMV take place in late October and November. Check with the India Cultural and Educational Center of Maryland and Desi community groups for 2026 event listings as they are announced.
What is Bhai Dooj? Bhai Dooj on November 10 is the sibling-honouring festival that closes the Diwali period, when sisters perform a tika ceremony for brothers and pray for their long life. It is similar in spirit to Raksha Bandhan but held at the close of the Diwali celebration.
Bottom Line
Dhanteras 2026 on November 6 opens the most important two-day period in the Hindu festive year, leading directly into Diwali on November 8 — a Sunday. Columbia's two Hindu organisations, Dayalbagh Radhasoami Satsang and Sree Sitarama Hanuman Devotion and Charity, anchor local religious life while the wider DMV offers one of the most active South Asian festival calendars on the East Coast.