Quick answer: Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November 2026 in Germany. Diwali / Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday 8 November, Govardhan Puja on Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November. Dhanteras puja is done after local sunset (about 4:28 PM in Berlin, 4:54 PM in Frankfurt, 4:48 PM in Munich). Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, Diwali week is about three weeks later than last year.

Dhanteras opens the five days of Diwali. For Hindu and Indian families in Germany, from Frankfurt and Munich to Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne, it is the day to invite Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Dhanvantari into the home, buy something of lasting value and light the first lamps of the festival. This guide covers the 2026 dates, the meaning of the day, what to buy, how to shop wisely under German and EU rules, and how to do a simple puja at home.

Diwali 2026 dates in Germany

FestivalDate in Germany (2026)
DhanterasFriday 6 November
Narak Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)7 or 8 November depending on the panchang your temple follows
Diwali / Lakshmi PujaSunday 8 November
Govardhan PujaMonday 9 November
Bhai DoojTuesday 10 November

Note that Germany follows a European calendar, not India's: Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj fall a day earlier here than in India (10 and 11 November). Germany will already be on winter time (CET) by Diwali week, so sunset comes early.

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What is Dhanteras?

The name comes from dhan (wealth) and teras (the thirteenth lunar day, Trayodashi, of the dark fortnight). Dhanteras celebrates the appearance of Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, who rose from the churning of the ocean carrying the pot of amrit. It is also a day to honour Lakshmi and Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, and to light a lamp for Yama, the lord of death, to protect the family.

  • Prosperity: buying gold, silver or a new utensil is believed to invite lasting abundance.
  • Health: Dhanvantari is worshipped for the well-being of the whole family.
  • Protection: the Yama deepam, a single lamp placed facing south after sunset, is lit for the long life of family members.
  • Heritage: for German-born children, Dhanteras is often their first taste of Diwali traditions.

Best time for Dhanteras puja and shopping in Germany

Dhanteras puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal, the period that begins at local sunset. Approximate sunset times on Friday 6 November 2026:

CitySunset on 6 Nov 2026
Berlinabout 4:28 PM
Frankfurtabout 4:54 PM
Munichabout 4:48 PM

Lakshmi Puja on Dhanteras and Diwali is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset. Confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang or with your temple priest; never use a muhurat calculated for India and converted to German time, because the timing depends on local sunset. Shopping at any time on Dhanteras is considered auspicious, and German shops close in the evening, so buying in the afternoon and doing the puja after sunset works well.

What to buy on Dhanteras

  • Gold and silver: a ring, chain, bangle or a small coin. Even a modest silver coin with Lakshmi-Ganesha is traditional.
  • Utensils: a new steel, brass or copper vessel. Many families bring it home filled with rice or sweets rather than empty.
  • Puja items: clay diyas, cotton wicks, ghee, a Lakshmi-Ganesha murti or picture, kumkum, haldi, incense and fresh flowers.
  • Brooms: in many North Indian homes a new broom is bought on Dhanteras as a symbol of sweeping away poverty.
  • Something useful: many families also time a planned purchase, such as a household appliance or a laptop, for Dhanteras. Buy what you actually need; the day is about lasting value, not overspending.

Where to shop in Germany

Germany's larger cities have Indian grocery stores, sari and ethnic-wear shops and a few jewellers that stock 22-carat Indian designs. Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart all have neighbourhoods with Asian and Indian shops; Indian groceries are the easiest place to find diyas, puja samagri and sweets. Established bullion dealers sell certified gold and silver coins and bars, and several Indian jewellery brands and Indian ethnic-wear sites ship to Germany.

Festive offers and discounts change every year and we do not list them here. Compare prices on established comparison sites, ask for the making charge separately from the gold price, and be wary of any "deal" that seems far below the day's gold rate.

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Smart and safe gold buying in Germany

  • Check the purity stamp: European jewellery is commonly stamped 585 (14 ct) or 750 (18 ct); Indian 22-carat jewellery is stamped 916. Ask for a written invoice showing carat, weight and price.
  • Know the MwSt rules: investment gold (bars and coins of the required purity) is exempt from MwSt in the EU; jewellery carries the standard rate, which should be included in the price shown.
  • Understand making charges and buyback: ask how the jeweller values old gold in exchange and whether they buy back.
  • Imports from outside the EU: jewellery ordered from India or other non-EU countries may attract customs duty and import VAT on arrival. Check before ordering and allow for shipping time before Diwali.
  • Pay securely: use a card, PayPal or bank transfer from a reputable seller; keep receipts and consider insuring valuable jewellery.

Your consumer rights in the EU

  • 14-day right of withdrawal for most online and distance purchases (custom-made or personalised items are usually excluded).
  • Two-year statutory guarantee (Gewährleistung) for goods that are faulty or not as described.
  • Prices shown to consumers must include MwSt.
  • For disputes, the Verbraucherzentrale in your federal state offers advice.

Simple Dhanteras puja at home

  1. Clean the home, especially the entrance, and draw a small rangoli at the door.
  2. After sunset, set up the altar with a Lakshmi-Ganesha murti or picture and an image of Dhanvantari if you have one.
  3. Light a ghee diya. Begin with Ganesha: "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah."
  4. Place your new purchase, a coin or the new vessel before the deities and offer kumkum, haldi, flowers and sweets.
  5. Chant the Lakshmi, Kubera and Dhanvantari mantras below.
  6. Perform aarti and share prasad.
  7. Light the Yama deepam: a single lamp placed outside the door or on a balcony, facing south. In flats, use an enclosed lamp and follow your building's fire rules.

Dhanteras mantras

Lakshmi: Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmyai Namah (108 times).

Kubera: Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanya Samriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha.

Dhanvantari: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye Amrita Kalasha Hastaya Sarvamaya Vinashanaya Trailokya Nathaya Sri Mahavishnave Namah.

Short form: Om Dhanvantaraye Namah, for anyone short of time.

Temples and community celebrations

Hindu temples and community associations across Germany hold Lakshmi pujas, bhajans and shared meals during Diwali week. Long-established places of worship include the Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple in Berlin-Neukölln, ISKCON centres in Berlin and Hamburg, and the large Sri Kamadchi Ampal temple in Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia; Frankfurt, Munich and Cologne also have active temples and Indian associations. Programmes and timings for 2026 are announced by each temple, so check your local temple or association for 2026 programmes. Since Diwali falls on a Sunday, many communities will celebrate on the day itself.

Celebrating Dhanteras the German way

  • Invite German neighbours or colleagues for sweets and explain the meaning of the lamps.
  • Use clay diyas, natural rangoli colours (rice flour, turmeric) and reusable decorations.
  • Check whether your building allows open flames on balconies; LED diyas are a safe alternative indoors.
  • Private fireworks are generally only sold and allowed around New Year in Germany, so plan for lamps rather than crackers.

Dhanteras 2026 checklist

  • Two weeks before: compare gold prices, order any online items so they arrive in time.
  • Thursday 5 November: clean the house, buy flowers, diyas and puja items.
  • Friday 6 November: shop in the afternoon, do the puja after sunset, light the Yama deepam.
  • Saturday 7 November: last chance to shop for Diwali, since shops are closed on Sunday 8 November.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dhanteras 2026 in Germany?

Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi) is on Friday 6 November 2026 in Germany. Diwali / Lakshmi Puja follows on Sunday 8 November, Govardhan Puja on Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November.

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What time should I do Dhanteras puja in Germany?

Dhanteras puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal that begins at local sunset. On 6 November 2026 the sun sets at about 4:28 PM in Berlin, 4:54 PM in Frankfurt and 4:48 PM in Munich. Confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang; do not use a muhurat calculated for India.

Is investment gold free of MwSt in Germany?

Yes. Under EU rules, investment gold (bars and coins meeting the purity standard, typically 99.5% for bars) is exempt from VAT/MwSt. Jewellery, including 22-carat Indian jewellery, is charged the standard MwSt rate.

What are my rights if I buy online for Dhanteras?

For most online purchases in the EU you have a 14-day right of withdrawal and a two-year statutory guarantee for faulty goods. Personalised or custom-made items are usually excluded from the 14-day withdrawal right.

Can I shop on Diwali itself in Germany?

Diwali 2026 falls on a Sunday, and most shops in Germany are closed on Sundays. Do your gold, puja-item and sweet shopping on Dhanteras (Friday) or Saturday 7 November.

Editor's note (4 October 2026)

Updated for 2026. Dates follow Drik Panchang for Germany; sunset times are local. We removed last year's muhurat times, shop names, discounts and bank offers because they cannot be verified for 2026. Confirm puja timings with your temple or Drik Panchang, and check retailers directly for current offers.