Must-Visit Temples in the UK for Dhanteras 2026: Complete Guide to Pujas and Celebrations
Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November in the UK. A region-by-region guide to well-known Hindu temples for Dhanteras and Diwali week, what to expect at the evening puja, and how to plan your visit.
Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November in the UK. A region-by-region guide to well-known Hindu temples for Dhanteras and Diwali week, what to expect at the evening puja, and how to plan your visit.
Quick answer: Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November 2026 in the UK, opening Diwali week; Diwali / Lakshmi Puja is Sunday 8 November. Temples across Britain mark the evening with Lakshmi, Kubera and Dhanvantari worship after local sunset (about 4:25 PM in London). Programmes change every year, so check your chosen temple for its 2026 timings before you travel.
Why visit a temple on Dhanteras?
Dhanteras, or Dhantrayodashi, celebrates the appearance of Lord Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, with the pot of amrit from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), from which Goddess Lakshmi also emerged. It is a day to pray for health and prosperity, to buy something new in gold, silver or metal, and to light the first lamps of Diwali.
Visiting a temple adds the energy of collective worship: shared aarti, bhajans, the sight of hundreds of diyas, and the chance for children to experience the festival among their community. Many temples are also close to Asian shopping streets, so a temple visit and an auspicious purchase fit easily into one evening. Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, Dhanteras is about three weeks later than last year and the evenings are darker and colder, so plan for an early sunset.
Diwali week 2026 in the UK
| Festival | Date (UK) |
|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Friday 6 November |
| Narak Chaturdashi | Saturday 7 November |
| Diwali / Lakshmi Puja | Sunday 8 November |
| Govardhan Puja / Annakut | Monday 9 November |
| Bhai Dooj | Tuesday 10 November |
Sunset on 6 November is about 4:25 PM in London and Leicester and 4:29 PM in Birmingham. Dhanteras puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset; confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang.
London and the South East
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden
Britain's best-known traditional Hindu mandir, built of hand-carved stone and marble, is a landmark of Hindu architecture in Europe. Diwali week here traditionally draws large crowds for darshan, aarti and the Annakut offering around Govardhan Puja. It is easily reached by the Jubilee line. Expect queues in the evenings and check the mandir's own announcements for 2026 darshan and programme times.
Bhaktivedanta Manor (ISKCON), Hertfordshire
Set in countryside near Watford, the ISKCON centre at Bhaktivedanta Manor is one of the largest Krishna temples in Britain, with a working farm and cows (gaushala). Its kirtans and festival atmosphere make it a favourite for families. Diwali-week programmes and any parking or shuttle arrangements are announced by the temple; check before you travel.
Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir, Wembley
A richly carved mandir on Ealing Road, close to Wembley's jewellers and sweet shops, which makes it a natural stop for families combining Dhanteras shopping with darshan.
London has many more temples serving every community, from Gujarati and Punjabi to Tamil, Telugu and Bengali, across Southall, Harrow, Croydon, East Ham, Ilford and beyond. Your nearest local mandir will usually hold an evening aarti on Dhanteras.
The Midlands
Shree Sanatan Mandir, Leicester
One of Leicester's oldest and most important Hindu temples, close to Belgrave Road, the "Golden Mile" famous for its Diwali lights and Asian jewellers. Visiting the mandir and then the Golden Mile is a classic Leicester Dhanteras evening.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Leicester
A beautifully carved BAPS mandir serving Leicester's large Gujarati community, with devotional programmes in Diwali week.
Sri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple, Tividale
In Tividale, between Birmingham and Dudley, this temple is modelled on South Indian temple architecture and follows Tirupati-style worship of Lord Venkateswara. It draws Telugu, Tamil and Kannada families from across the Midlands and beyond, and is popular for Lakshmi worship during Diwali and through the Karthika month.
Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and Nottingham also have well-established mandirs; check locally for Dhanteras aarti.
Northern England and Scotland
- ISKCON Manchester: the Radha Krishna temple serves Greater Manchester with kirtans and festival programmes.
- Leeds Hindu Temple: a long-standing community temple for Yorkshire's Hindu families, with multiple deities.
- Bradford: the city's Hindu temples host aarti and community gatherings in Diwali week.
- Glasgow Hindu Mandir: Scotland's main Hindu temple in the West End, a gathering point for families across the central belt.
- Edinburgh Hindu Mandir: serves the Scottish capital's Hindu community.
Further north the sun sets even earlier, so evening programmes begin early. Programmes and timings for 2026 should be confirmed with each temple.
What to expect at a Dhanteras temple puja
- Lakshmi-Kubera puja: prayers for prosperity, often with coins, new utensils or account books placed before the deity.
- Dhanvantari worship: prayers for health and healing, which some temples mark specially.
- Yama deepam: a lamp lit facing south after sunset to ward off untimely death.
- Aarti and bhajans: the evening aarti is usually the busiest moment of the day.
- Prasad: sweets and fruit are shared with devotees; some temples serve a community meal.
Tips for your visit
- Check first: look at the temple's website or social media for 2026 timings, special pujas, parking and any booking requirements.
- Dress modestly: traditional dress is ideal; cover shoulders and knees, and be ready to remove shoes.
- Bring an offering: flowers, fruit, sweets or a coin; many temples also accept donations for diyas or annadanam.
- Travel early: public transport is often easier than driving in Diwali week; arrive before sunset to avoid the peak.
- Dress for November: evenings are cold and often wet; bring a coat and umbrella for queues.
- Respect the space: switch phones to silent and check whether photography is allowed inside.
- Eco-friendly: avoid plastic, take rubbish home, and donate surplus sweets to a food bank or shelter.
Pairing your visit with Dhanteras shopping
Many temples are close to Asian shopping streets: Belgrave Road in Leicester, Ealing Road in Wembley, The Broadway in Southall and Green Street in East London. A small gold or silver coin, a brass lota or a new steel vessel bought on the day can be placed before the deity or at your home altar for blessing. For buying tips, hallmark checks and consumer rights see our Dhanteras 2026 guide.
Celebrating at home
If you cannot reach a temple, a home Dhanteras puja is just as meaningful. Clean the house, draw a rangoli, light a lamp at the entrance, and after sunset offer flowers, sweets and a ghee lamp to Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kubera while chanting "Om Dhanvantaraye Namah" and "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah". Then prepare for Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 November.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dhanteras 2026 in the UK?
Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday 6 November in the UK, followed by Narak Chaturdashi on Saturday 7 November and Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) on Sunday 8 November.
What time is the Dhanteras puja at UK temples?
Dhanteras worship takes place in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset, which is about 4:25 PM in London and Leicester and 4:29 PM in Birmingham on 6 November. Each temple sets its own programme, so check its website or social media for 2026 timings, and confirm the muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang.
Do I need to book to attend a temple on Dhanteras?
Most temples welcome walk-in devotees for darshan and aarti. Some special pujas or sponsored sevas may need advance registration; contact the temple directly.
Which UK temple is best for Dhanteras?
The best temple is usually your local one, where your community gathers. For a special visit, large temples such as BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, Bhaktivedanta Manor, the Shree Sanatan Mandir in Leicester and the Balaji temple at Tividale are popular in Diwali week.
Can I do the Dhanteras puja at home instead?
Yes. Light a diya at the entrance, offer prayers to Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kubera after sunset, place your new purchase at the altar and perform aarti. A home puja is fully valid.
Editor's note (4 October 2026)
Updated for 2026. UK dates follow Drik Panchang (Dhanteras Friday 6 November, Diwali Sunday 8 November), and sunset times are local for 6 November. We have removed the previous edition's street addresses, event descriptions and puja timings, which could not be verified for 2026, and dropped two listings we could not confirm. Please check each temple directly for its 2026 programme.
