Gold is the classic Dhanteras purchase, but with prices near ₹1.5 lakh for 10 grams this year, many families are asking what else they can buy. The good news: you don’t need gold to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Silver coins, brass diyas, a new broom and even a handful of coriander seeds are all traditional Dhanteras buys, and every idea below costs under ₹2,000.
Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November. It is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, with Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, 8 November.
On Dhanteras, families worship Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, Lord Kubera as the keeper of riches, and Lord Dhanvantari for good health. Bringing home something new on this day is believed to invite prosperity for the year ahead. What matters is the intention behind the purchase, not its price.
10 Things to Buy on Dhanteras Besides Gold (Under ₹2,000)
Prices are approximate and vary by city and brand.
1. A small silver coin (₹1,200–₹1,800)
Silver is the most popular alternative to gold. It is linked with purity and the moon, and costs a fraction of gold’s price. A 5-gram Lakshmi-Ganesh coin fits this budget, since silver traded around ₹225–₹265 per gram in October 2026.
Buying tip: Check the day’s silver rate and buy 999 fine silver from a trusted jeweller. Ask for the making charges separately.
[Affiliate link: 5g silver Lakshmi-Ganesh coin]
2. Brass diyas (₹300–₹800)
A set of brass diyas does double duty: you buy metal on Dhanteras and light them on Diwali night. Unlike clay diyas, they last for years, so each Diwali starts with the same lamps.
[Affiliate link: brass diya set]
3. A copper water bottle or lota (₹400–₹1,000)
Dhanteras also honours Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and Ayurveda. That makes a copper bottle or lota a meaningful buy. Use the lota to offer water to the Sun each morning, or the bottle for daily drinking water.
[Affiliate link: copper bottle]
4. A new brass or steel utensil (₹500–₹1,500)
In many families, new utensils are the oldest Dhanteras tradition, older than the gold rush. Pick something you will actually use: a pooja thali, a kalash, or a brass kadhai. A useful item reminds you of the blessing every day.
Buying tip: Never bring a utensil home empty. Fill it with rice, sweets or coriander seeds first.
5. A Lakshmi-Ganesh idol (₹300–₹1,500)
A new idol for your Diwali puja is one of the most fitting Dhanteras purchases. Brass idols last for years, while clay idols are an eco-friendly choice you can immerse after the festival.
[Affiliate link: brass Lakshmi-Ganesh idol]
6. A new broom (₹100–₹250)
It sounds surprising, but buying a broom (jhadu) on Dhanteras is a long-standing custom. The broom is linked with Goddess Lakshmi and is believed to sweep away poverty and old debts. Choose a thick, unbroken broom, and keep it out of sight rather than standing upright.
7. Whole coriander seeds (₹50–₹100)
This is the most budget-friendly tradition on the list. Buy sabut dhania, offer some to Goddess Lakshmi during the puja, and keep a few seeds in your wallet or cash box. After Diwali, sow the rest in a pot. Healthy sprouts are taken as a sign of a prosperous year.
8. Gomti chakra, set of 11 (₹100–₹300)
Gomti chakra is a small shell with a spiral pattern, associated with Goddess Lakshmi. Many families tie 11 of them in a yellow cloth after the puja and keep the bundle in their locker or cash drawer.
9. Shri Yantra or Kuber Yantra (₹200–₹800)
A yantra for your puja corner is a lasting reminder of your intention for abundance. The Shri Yantra is linked with Goddess Lakshmi; the Kuber Yantra with Lord Kubera. Place it facing east or north in your puja space.
[Affiliate link: brass Shri Yantra]
10. A money plant or tulsi plant (₹200–₹600)
A plant is a living symbol of growth that keeps giving all year. A money plant suits an indoor corner; a tulsi plant suits a sunny balcony and is part of the Tulsi Vivah celebrations later in the month.
Quick comparison:
| Item | Approx. price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Silver coin (5g) | ₹1,200–₹1,800 | Saving and gifting |
| Brass diyas | ₹300–₹800 | Diwali puja |
| Copper bottle or lota | ₹400–₹1,000 | Health |
| Brass or steel utensil | ₹500–₹1,500 | Daily use |
| Lakshmi-Ganesh idol | ₹300–₹1,500 | Puja |
| Broom | ₹100–₹250 | Tradition on a tight budget |
| Coriander seeds | ₹50–₹100 | Lowest cost |
| Gomti chakra (11) | ₹100–₹300 | Cash box or locker |
| Shri or Kuber Yantra | ₹200–₹800 | Puja corner |
| Money plant or tulsi | ₹200–₹600 | Home and growth |
Dhanteras 2026 Muhurat: When to Buy
The Dhanteras puja muhurat (Pradosh Kaal) on Friday, 6 November 2026 is 5:48 PM to 7:14 PM in Delhi. Timings shift slightly by city, so check your local panchang. Many families make their purchase before or during this window and place the new item in the puja.
What Not to Buy on Dhanteras
Some purchases are traditionally avoided on this day:
- Iron items and sharp objects like knives and scissors.
- Empty vessels. Fill any new utensil with grains, sweets or coriander seeds before it enters the home.
- A broken or thin broom. Pick a thick broom with no broken sticks.
Family customs differ. If your household follows a different tradition, go with what feels right at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it necessary to buy gold on Dhanteras?
No. Gold is popular, but silver, brass, copper, a broom or coriander seeds are all traditional Dhanteras buys. The intention behind the purchase matters more than the price.
Can I buy utensils instead of gold on Dhanteras?
Yes. Buying new utensils is one of the oldest Dhanteras customs. Brass, copper and steel utensils are all common choices. Just fill them with grains or sweets before bringing them home.
Why do people buy a broom on Dhanteras?
The broom is linked with Goddess Lakshmi. Buying a new one is believed to sweep away poverty and negativity and make room for prosperity.
Why are coriander seeds bought on Dhanteras?
Coriander seeds symbolise growth and abundance. They are offered to Goddess Lakshmi, kept in the cash box, and sown after Diwali.
What is the best thing to buy on Dhanteras under ₹500?
A new broom, whole coriander seeds, a set of 11 gomti chakras, or a small brass diya. All are traditional and cost well under ₹500.
Dhanteras is about welcoming prosperity, not spending the most. A silver coin, a brass diya or a handful of coriander seeds, bought with a sincere heart, carries the festival’s blessing just as fully as gold.
Planning the rest of your festive spending? Read our Diwali Budget Planner for a simple way to celebrate without overspending.
Wishing you and your family a happy and prosperous Dhanteras.
