Quick answer

Dhanteras 2026 in the USA is on Friday 6 November, the first of the five days of Diwali. Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is Sunday 8 November, with Naraka Chaturdashi on Saturday 7 November, Govardhan Puja on Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November (Drik Panchang, USA). The Dhanteras puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset: 4:46 PM in New York and 4:55 PM in Los Angeles. Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, the festival falls about three weeks later than last year.

Visiting a temple on Dhanteras is a lovely way for Hindu American families to begin Diwali. Below is a region-by-region list of well-established temples, what the day means, and practical tips. Temple programmes vary each year, so check with each temple for its 2026 schedule.

Why visit a temple on Dhanteras?

Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi) falls on the thirteenth day of the waning moon before Diwali. It honours Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician who emerged from the churning of the ocean with the pot of amrit, and Goddess Lakshmi, who also rose from those waters. Devotees pray for health as well as prosperity. In the evening a lamp is lit facing south for Yama, the Yama Deepam, to protect the family from untimely death.

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Temples amplify the day through collective worship: Lakshmi-Kubera pujas, Dhanvantari homams, bhajans and prasad. For families far from India, a temple visit also brings children into the festive atmosphere and connects them with the wider community.

Sunset and Pradosh Kaal in US cities

CitySunset on Dhanteras, Fri 6 NovSunset on Diwali, Sun 8 Nov
New York4:46 PM4:44 PM
Chicago4:38 PM4:36 PM
Houston5:31 PM5:29 PM
Los Angeles4:55 PM4:54 PM

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday 1 November 2026, so these are standard-time sunsets. The Pradosh Kaal begins at sunset; confirm the exact Dhanteras and Lakshmi Puja muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang.

East Coast temples

1. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Akshardham, Robbinsville, New Jersey

One of the largest Hindu temples outside India, with intricately carved stone and a strong programme of festivals. BAPS mandirs traditionally mark Diwali and the Hindu New Year with special pujas and a grand Annakut, and the vast campus rewards an unhurried visit.

2. Hindu Temple Society of North America (Ganesh Temple), Flushing, New York

One of the oldest traditional Hindu temples in the USA, dedicated to Lord Ganesha and a cultural hub for New York's South Asian community. A popular place for evening darshan during the Diwali days.

3. Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, Lanham, Maryland

A large Shaiva-Vaishnava complex serving the Washington, DC area, known for authentic South Indian rituals and Lakshmi worship during Deepavali.

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4. Sri Venkateswara Temple, Penn Hills, Pennsylvania

Modelled on the Tirumala temple and among the earliest traditional Hindu temples in the country, it draws devotees from across the region for Balaji darshan.

Southern temples

5. Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale, Georgia

Home to shrines for Venkateswara, Shiva and other deities, it is one of the main temples of the Southeast and a busy centre during the Diwali season.

6. Sri Meenakshi Temple, Pearland, Texas

Inspired by the great Meenakshi temple of Madurai, with striking Dravidian architecture, it is a beloved destination for Houston-area families.

7. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Stafford (Houston), Texas

A hand-carved marble mandir that hosts large Diwali and Annakut celebrations for the Houston community.

Midwest temples

8. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bartlett (Chicago), Illinois

An intricately carved mandir in the Chicago suburbs, a spiritual landmark for the Midwest.

9. Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Lemont, Illinois

A large complex with shrines for Rama, Ganesha and other deities, known for hosting big festival gatherings.

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West Coast temples

10. Malibu Hindu Temple, Calabasas, California

Set among the hills of the Santa Monica Mountains, this temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara with a Shiva shrine, and offers a peaceful setting for Dhanteras prayers.

11. Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, Sunnyvale, California

A community-focused temple in Silicon Valley that has hosted Lakshmi Kubera homams and pujas for the festival.

12. Fremont Hindu Temple, Fremont, California

Known for worship of many deities and cultural programmes for the Bay Area's large Indian community.

13. Shiva-Vishnu Temple, Livermore, California

A large complex celebrating Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions together, with shrines to many deities and regular homams and festival events.

Visiting with children and elders

A Friday-evening temple visit works well for families. Explain the story of Dhanvantari and the churning of the ocean on the drive, let children carry the offering and light a lamp where it is allowed, and keep the visit short if they tire. For elderly relatives, go earlier in the afternoon before the sunset crowds, and ask the temple about step-free access and seating.

What to do at home before your temple visit

  • Clean the house, especially the entrance and puja corner, and draw a small rangoli.
  • Buy something auspicious: a silver coin, a piece of jewellery, or a new steel or brass vessel. Even a new broom is traditional.
  • After sunset, light a diya at the altar and offer prayers to Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kubera with the mantra Om Namo Bhagavate Dhanvantaraye.
  • Light the Yama Deepam, a four-wick lamp placed facing south near the entrance.
  • Offer sweets and share prasad with the family.

For the full puja vidhi, see our Dhanteras 2026 guide.

Tips for your Dhanteras temple visit

  • Check 2026 schedules: many temples post Diwali programmes on their websites a few weeks ahead. Call if you are unsure.
  • Arrive early: Dhanteras falls on a Friday evening in 2026, and temples can be crowded; parking fills quickly.
  • Dress and etiquette: wear modest traditional clothing, remove shoes, and keep phones silent.
  • Offerings: flowers, fruit, sweets or a coin; ask before bringing ghee lamps.
  • Muhurat: use Drik Panchang for your own city rather than an India muhurat.
  • Eco-friendly: choose clay diyas and reusable decorations; many temples encourage green practices.
  • Live streams: if you cannot attend, several larger temples stream their pujas online.

Planning the rest of the week? See Diwali 2026 USA for the full five-day guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dhanteras 2026 in the USA?

Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November 2026 across the USA, according to Drik Panchang. Naraka Chaturdashi is Saturday 7 November, Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is Sunday 8 November, Govardhan Puja is Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj is Tuesday 10 November.

What time should I do the Dhanteras puja in the USA?

The puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset. On 6 November sunset is 4:46 PM in New York, 4:38 PM in Chicago, 5:31 PM in Houston and 4:55 PM in Los Angeles. Confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang; do not use a muhurat calculated for India.

Do US temples hold special Dhanteras programmes?

Many temples hold Lakshmi-Kubera pujas, Dhanvantari homams or evening aartis around Dhanteras and Diwali. Programmes and timings change every year, so check your temple's website or call ahead for 2026.

Why is Dhanteras so late this year?

2026 has an extra lunar month, so Dhanteras and Diwali fall about three weeks later than last year.

What should I take to the temple on Dhanteras?

Flowers, fruit, sweets or a coin as an offering, and modest traditional clothing. Some devotees bring newly bought silver or utensils to be placed before the deity for blessings.

Editor's note (4 October 2026)

This guide has been updated for Dhanteras 2026 with Drik Panchang dates for the USA and local sunset times. We have removed last year's date, the per-temple puja timings and the event descriptions, because 2026 programmes vary. Please confirm details directly with each temple.