Dhanteras 2026 in White Plains: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate

TL;DR

• Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, November 6 — the first day of the five-day Diwali season 🪔
• The Hindu Temple of Tri-State in White Plains is the anchor venue for Dhanteras and Diwali puja in Westchester County
• The Durga Temple of Westchester, which opened in Greenburgh in January 2024, provides a second major puja venue for the community
• Purchasing gold, silver, or new metal items on Dhanteras invites the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari
• The India Center of Westchester, based in Elmsford, connects Indian and Desi families across the county for cultural events and Diwali gatherings

Why Dhanteras matters

Dhanteras — from "Dhan" (wealth) and "Teras" (thirteenth) — falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. It is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival cycle, followed by Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali (Lakshmi Puja), Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj.

On Dhanteras, homes are swept clean, fresh marigold rangoli is drawn near doorways, and small clay diyas are lit in rows along windowsills and entryways. The most recognized ritual is the purchase of gold, silver, or new metal utensils — a physical symbol of welcoming Lakshmi's abundance into the home. Families also observe a special evening puja to Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of health and Ayurveda, making Dhanteras both a prosperity ritual and an invocation of wellbeing.

For Westchester's Indian and Desi community — with roughly 5,000 Hindu families across the county — Dhanteras 2026 on November 6 opens a full week of gatherings, pujas, and celebrations centered on White Plains and the surrounding area. Hindus are the largest subgroup among Westchester's Asian residents, according to the 2020 U.S. Census, and the community's presence is reflected in the growing number of temples and cultural organizations that anchor the county's Indian life.

Puja at the Hindu Temple of Tri-State

The primary Hindu temple in White Plains is the Hindu Temple of Tri-State, located at 390 North Street. Built to serve a congregation of roughly 300 to 500 members, the temple was years in the making — Westchester's Hindu families held services at a restaurant in Greenburgh for years before the White Plains temple opened. The temple trustees estimate Westchester has approximately 5,000 Hindu families, and for many of them the Hindu Temple of Tri-State is the center of the year's most important observances.

For Dhanteras 2026, the Hindu Temple of Tri-State will conduct Lakshmi puja, aarti, and community prasad. For specific November 6 timings, event registration, and any prasad guidelines, check directly with the temple. The location at 390 North Street is accessible from major routes through White Plains, with parking available nearby.

The Durga Temple of Westchester

A second major venue now serves Westchester's Indian community. The Durga Temple of Westchester, located on Saw Mill River Road in Greenburgh — minutes from White Plains — opened in January 2024 after nine years of fundraising by its congregants. The temple accommodates more than 200 people and has quickly become a destination for the county's growing diaspora.

For Dhanteras and Diwali 2026, the Durga Temple is expected to host its own program of puja, bhajan, and community darshan across the five festival days. Check with the temple directly for November 6 timings, as both the Hindu Temple of Tri-State and the Durga Temple will run their own independent schedules through the Diwali period.

Cultural events and community organizations

The India Center of Westchester, based in Elmsford — a short drive from White Plains — is a longstanding cultural anchor for the county's Indian community. Its reach extends across the tri-state region, and it serves as a resource for Indian Americans interested in culture, language, music, dance, and community. The center hosts events from Republic Day celebrations to Diwali cultural programs, and its Diwali gatherings have included folk dance performances, music, and community dinner. Check indiacenter.us for the November 2026 calendar.

The Indian American Cultural Association of Westchester (IACAW) also organizes Diwali season events, often in partnership with local arts venues and cultural organizations. Past programs have featured performances, rangoli contests, and community dinners. Watch for announcements through Westchester's South Asian community networks and local Indian community groups.

Insider Tip: The Pradosh Kaal — the auspicious evening window for Dhanteras Lakshmi puja — typically opens around 5:30 PM and runs for roughly 90 minutes in the greater New York area on November 6. Confirm the exact timing for White Plains using a panchang site like drikpanchang.com before the festival. If you plan to attend temple puja during this window, arrive early: both the Hindu Temple of Tri-State and the Durga Temple fill quickly during Dhanteras evening.

What to buy on Dhanteras

The tradition of purchasing gold or silver on Dhanteras is widely observed in White Plains's Indian community. Westchester and nearby areas have Indian jewelry stores that stock Dhanteras-season collections, including gold coins, silver Lakshmi-Ganesha sets, silver utensils, and bangles. Even a small purchase — a pair of silver earrings or a new stainless steel serving dish — carries the symbolic meaning of the tradition. The ritual specifies new metal items, not gold specifically, so new kitchen utensils are a fully valid Dhanteras purchase.

Preparing the home for Dhanteras

The day starts with a thorough cleaning: every room should be swept and washed, as Lakshmi is said to enter only clean, welcoming homes. Doorways are decorated with fresh flower garlands or marigold strings, and a rangoli pattern is drawn at the threshold.

As evening approaches, diyas are filled with mustard oil or ghee and placed in rows at every window and entrance. A small lamp burns through the night as a welcoming light for Lakshmi.

FAQ

When is Dhanteras 2026? Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, November 6. It is the first day of the Diwali five-day festival. The main Lakshmi Puja (Diwali night) follows on Sunday, November 8.

What is the Dhanteras puja muhurat for 2026 in the White Plains area? The Pradosh Kaal evening puja window for the greater New York area on November 6, 2026 falls in the early evening. Consult a panchang site such as drikpanchang.com for the exact timing for White Plains.

Where can the White Plains Indian community attend Dhanteras puja? The Hindu Temple of Tri-State at 390 North Street in White Plains and the Durga Temple of Westchester in Greenburgh both hold Dhanteras and Diwali programs. Check each temple directly for 2026 schedules.

What should I buy on Dhanteras? Traditionally, gold, silver, or new metal utensils are purchased on Dhanteras to welcome Lakshmi's blessings. Any new metal household item is considered auspicious, from a gold coin to a set of steel serving spoons.

Are there community Diwali events in White Plains beyond temple puja? Yes. The India Center of Westchester in Elmsford hosts Diwali cultural events each year featuring dance, music, and community dinner. The Indian American Cultural Association of Westchester also organizes Diwali programs. Watch for announcements through local Indian community networks.

Bottom Line

Dhanteras 2026 opens a full week of celebration for Westchester's Indian and Desi community. The Hindu Temple of Tri-State and the newly opened Durga Temple of Westchester provide two solid options for the November 6 evening puja, while the India Center of Westchester anchors the broader cultural events around Diwali. Mark the date, stock up on diyas and marigolds, plan your Dhanteras purchase, and arrive at your chosen temple before the Pradosh Kaal window opens. Lakshmi's arrival calls for a clean home, lit doorways, and a table full of mithai.