QUICK ANSWER Dhanteras in Jaipur falls on Friday 6 November 2026, with the puja muhurat from 6.11 pm to 8.07 pm. Diwali in Jaipur follows on Sunday 8 November, when the Lakshmi Puja muhurat runs from 6.03 pm to 7.59 pm. Jaipur spends Dhanteras in Johari Bazaar, the jewellers’ market laid out with the city in 1727, buying silver idols, coins, kundan and gemstones under the festival lights. The rest of the week brings lit bazaars across the walled city, Govardhan Puja on Tuesday 10 November and Bhai Dooj on Wednesday 11 November. Rajasthan allows green crackers only, from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali night.

Ask anyone in Jaipur where they spend Dhanteras evening and you will hear the same answer.

In Johari Bazaar, with everyone else.

Jaipur was built as a city of jewellers, and Dhanteras is the night it remembers that. The arcades of the old walled city glow with festival lights and gem dealers keep their counters open late. Families queue for a silver coin or a small Lakshmi-Ganesh idol for the puja. Two evenings later, the same bazaars fill again for Diwali.

This guide to Dhanteras and Diwali in Jaipur covers the 2026 dates and puja timings, what makes the city’s Dhanteras different from the rest of India and where to see the lights. It ends with a three-day plan and three private villas where your family can celebrate at home.

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Dhanteras and Diwali in Jaipur 2026: Dates and Puja Timings

Dhanteras falls on Friday 6 November 2026 and Diwali on Sunday 8 November. The Amavasya runs from late Sunday morning into Monday afternoon, so Govardhan Puja moves to Tuesday and Bhai Dooj to Wednesday this year. That stretches the festive week across six days.

Date	Festival	In Jaipur
Friday 6 November	Dhanteras	Johari Bazaar’s busiest evening of the year. Puja from 6.11 pm to 8.07 pm
Saturday 7 November	Choti Diwali	Lights at full glow and the best evening for a bazaar walk
Sunday 8 November	Diwali and Lakshmi Puja	Puja from 6.03 pm to 7.59 pm, then lamps and fireworks across the city
Monday 9 November	Amavasya morning	A slow day for sightseeing while the city rests
Tuesday 10 November	Govardhan Puja and Annakut	Food offerings at temples, including Govind Dev Ji
Wednesday 11 November	Bhai Dooj	Tilak, a family lunch and the drive home

Puja timings are from Drik Panchang for Jaipur. Families who follow a different panchang may see a difference of a few minutes.

Why Dhanteras Matters More in Jaipur

Dhanteras opens the Diwali week across India. It honours Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, along with Lakshmi, and it is the day to buy something new, ideally in metal, for luck.

In Jaipur, the day lands on a city built around precious metals and stones. When Sawai Jai Singh II founded Jaipur in 1727, he brought in jewellers and gem cutters and laid out Johari Bazaar, the jewellers’ market, for them. Today Jaipur is one of the world’s great centres for cutting coloured gemstones, emeralds above all. Hundreds of thousands of people work in its gem and jewellery trade.

That history shapes what the city buys. Alongside gold, Jaipur families pick up silver Lakshmi-Ganesh idols, small silver fish and elephant figures and silver coins for the puja thali. Brass and copper utensils remain the favourite metalware. Bigger buys often wait for this day too, from kundan, where gold foil is pressed around uncut stones, to bright meenakari enamel.

Last year, a city trade federation estimated about ₹900 crore of business in Jaipur between Dhanteras and Diwali.

How Dhanteras in Jaipur Differs From the Rest of India

Every region keeps Dhanteras, and each keeps it in its own way. What sets Jaipur apart is that the day is a public outing. The whole city shops in one historic bazaar, under lights its traders have competed to put up.

Region	How Dhanteras is kept
Jaipur	Gold, silver idols, coins, kundan and gemstones bought in Johari Bazaar, with the walled city lit for the festival
Much of North India	New utensils, gold or silver coins, and a lamp for Yama placed facing south at dusk
Maharashtra	Dried coriander seeds pounded with jaggery and offered as naivedya
Tamil Nadu	Families prepare marundhu, a herbal medicine eaten before sunrise on Deepavali morning
West Bengal	The festival builds towards Kali Puja on the night of Amavasya
Gujarat	Merchant families bless new account books in chopda pujan on Diwali and welcome the new year with Bestu Varas

One recent change is worth knowing. Dhanteras used to double as National Ayurveda Day in honour of Dhanvantari, but Ayurveda Day moved to a fixed date of 23 September from 2025.

In Jaipur, Dhanteras happens in the bazaar before it happens at home.

How to Spend Dhanteras in Johari Bazaar

The Trayodashi begins at 10.30 am on Friday 6 November, so shopping can start before lunch. Johari Bazaar runs south from Badi Chaupar, a short walk from Hawa Mahal, and its lanes still hold small family workshops.

If your family keeps the Dhanteras puja, buy in the afternoon and head back to the villa for the puja between 6.11 pm and 8.07 pm. Light a lamp for Yama at the doorway, facing south. If you are here for the spectacle, stay on after dark, when the arcades are at their brightest.

BUYING ON DHANTERAS IN JAIPUR Check the hallmark– Gold jewellery should carry the BIS hallmark and a six-digit HUID code. Ask for a certificate– For emeralds and other coloured stones, ask for a report from a recognised gem testing laboratory. Keep the ritual small– A silver coin or a small silver idol is the traditional Dhanteras buy and keeps the day within budget. Leave the car outside the walls– Take an e-rickshaw in through Sanganeri Gate at the southern end of Johari Bazaar.

Why Jaipur Lights Up Its Bazaars for Diwali

The buying is only half the story. Each walled-city bazaar’s traders’ association designs its own lights, gateways and themes, and the markets compete every year to be the brightest in town.

In 2026 the municipal corporation has allowed the old markets to stay decorated for eleven days, longer than the usual week, and the mayor will honour the three best-lit markets. Traders say this year’s designs will draw on Jaipur’s heritage as the city heads towards its 300th birthday in 2027.

The timing adds to the occasion. National Geographic has named Jaipur on its Best of the World 2027 list, and the walled city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.

Where to See the Diwali Lights in Jaipur

The best Diwali lights in Jaipur are inside the walled city. Go on foot or by e-rickshaw, and give each market time.

Hawa Mahal and Badi Chaupar

Begin at dusk at Hawa Mahal, its honeycomb facade lit against the evening sky. A short walk brings you to Badi Chaupar, the great square where Johari Bazaar and Tripolia Bazaar meet.

Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar

Johari Bazaar’s arcades are strung with lights from end to end. Bapu Bazaar runs west from its southern end, a canopy of bulbs over textiles, juttis and block-printed fabric.

Tripolia, Chandpole and Gangauri Bazaars

Walk west along Tripolia Bazaar to Choti Chaupar. Chandpole Bazaar carries on towards the city gate, and its traders are planning twinkling star lights and colour-changing bulbs this year.

North of the square, Gangauri Bazaar is putting up four welcome gates, lit tableaux of the gods and photo points inspired by Rajasthani culture. To the south, Kishanpole Bazaar completes the loop.

MI Road

MI Road links the old city to the new, and its showrooms and restaurants dress up for the festival too. It makes an easy last stop on the way out of the walls.

Jaipur’s Lights From Above

For the whole picture, drive up to Nahargarh Fort before sunset and stay as the lights come on across the old city. On Diwali night the fireworks rise all around you. Check the fort’s evening hours before you set out. On the road to Amer, Jal Mahal sits in Man Sagar lake and glows at dusk.

More Diwali Traditions Jaipur Keeps Its Own Way

New Ledgers for a New Year

Like merchant families across Rajasthan, many in Jaipur perform bahi-khata puja on Diwali, blessing new account books for the year ahead. In the days before, look for red cloth-bound ledgers stacked in the old markets.

Mandana at the Doorstep

Homes across Rajasthan draw mandana, fine patterns in white chalk on a red earth base, at doorways and courtyards. It is the local cousin of rangoli and a lovely thing to try with children at your villa.

Annakut at Govind Dev Ji

Govind Dev Ji, in the City Palace complex, is the temple closest to Jaipur’s heart. On Govardhan Puja, which falls on Tuesday 10 November this year, temples across the city prepare annakut, a mountain of dishes offered to Krishna and shared with devotees. Expect long queues and confirm darshan timings on the day.

Lac Bangles on Maniharon ka Rasta

Off Tripolia Bazaar, the lane of the bangle makers glows with stacks of lac bangles. Artisans shape them over small fires as you watch, and a set makes a fine gift for Diwali night.

What to Eat During Dhanteras and Diwali in Jaipur

Diwali is mithai season in Jaipur. Sweet shops stack boxes of kaju katli, mawa barfi and dry-fruit sweets for gifting, and families order theirs a day ahead to beat the queues. Between bazaars, stop for a hot pyaaz kachori or mawa kachori and a tall glass of lassi.

Ghewar, the honeycomb sweet the city is known for, belongs to the monsoon festival of Teej, though many old-city shops sell it all year. For the festive table, families make dal baati churma.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Park outside the walls– Traffic plans inside the walled city change through festival week, so use e-rickshaws or walk. Go early in the evening– The bazaars are calmest just after the lights come on. Shop before Sunday– Many traders close early on Diwali evening for their own puja. Mind the cracker window– Rajasthan allows only green crackers, between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali night. Your villa may have its own house rules too. See the sights in the morning– Smoke from fireworks can hang over the city the next day. Carry a light shawl– Afternoons are warm and evenings turn cool in early November. Keep pets indoors on Diwali night– The noise can upset them.

A 3-Day Itinerary From Dhanteras to Diwali in Jaipur

This plan runs from Friday to Sunday, so you are in town for Dhanteras, Choti Diwali and Diwali. Stay on to Tuesday for the annakut at Govind Dev Ji.

Day 1, Friday 6 November: Dhanteras in Johari Bazaar

Drive in early and settle into your villa. Spend the afternoon in Johari Bazaar and the lanes around it. Then either head back for the Dhanteras puja and the Yama lamp, or stay on as the arcades light up.

Day 2, Saturday 7 November: Amer and the Bazaar Lights

See Amer Fort in the morning and pause by Maota Lake. Pick up lac bangles on Maniharon ka Rasta in the afternoon. After dark, walk from Hawa Mahal to Badi Chaupar and on along Tripolia, Chandpole and Gangauri bazaars.

Day 3, Sunday 8 November: Diwali at Home

See City Palace and Jantar Mantar early, while the old city is quiet. Head back to the villa for mandana, rangoli and diyas. Perform the Lakshmi Puja between 6.03 pm and 7.59 pm, then watch the sky light up over Jaipur from your terrace or lawn.

Where to Stay for Dhanteras and Diwali in Jaipur

Diwali in Jaipur is two festivals at once. One plays out in the bazaars, bright and crowded. The other happens at home, around the puja thali. A private villa gives your family both, with the lights a drive away and your own courtyard waiting for the diyas.

SaffronStays, India’s largest managed private villa brand, has homes on the edges of Jaipur for every kind of family Diwali. Each comes with a team on site who can help with marigolds, diyas and the festive meal.

SaffronStays Ambika Farms

Ambika Farms is a four-bedroom villa with a private pool on the edge of the city, where each bedroom opens onto its own deck over the garden. On Dhanteras evening, book the vintage car ride and arrive in the lit old city the way Jaipur’s royals once did. Back home, the outdoor fireplace keeps the night going, and a games room with pool, table tennis, carrom and chess keeps the cousins busy.

Best for: families and friends of up to 12 who want the city within easy reach. View SaffronStays Ambika Farms

SaffronStays Kanota Courtyard

Kanota Courtyard is a country home on farmland near Kanota Dam, with rooms that open onto a courtyard built around a 200-year-old Khejdi tree. Spend a festive morning birdwatching by the dam or on a wildlife safari nearby, then come back to the pool and the lawns. Pets are welcome, so the whole household can come.

Best for: big families of up to 24 and guests travelling with pets. View SaffronStays Kanota Courtyard

Jaipur Diwali Villas at a Glance

Villa	Bedrooms	Best for	Festive highlight
Ambika Farms	4	Families and friends of up to 12	Vintage car ride into the lit old city on Dhanteras
Raj Reverie	8	Large joint families	Lakshmi Puja in the private pavilion
Kanota Courtyard	8 rooms	Big families and pets	A courtyard built around a Khejdi tree

How to Reach Jaipur for Dhanteras and Diwali

• By road. NH48 links Jaipur with Delhi and Gurugram to the north and with Udaipur and Ahmedabad to the south-west. Set out on Thursday or early Friday, as highways fill up in Diwali week.
• By train. Vande Bharat and other express trains connect Jaipur with Delhi, Udaipur and cities across the country.
• By air. Jaipur International Airport has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities. Book early, as festive fares climb fast.

Carrying on into Rajasthan? Our guide to Jodhpur RIFF and the slow road to Udaipur and Jaipur maps the route between the three cities.

Jaipur keeps its lights up for less than a fortnight. Arrive for Dhanteras, walk the bazaars on Saturday and keep Sunday evening for the puja.

Celebrate Dhanteras and Diwali in the Pink City Three private homes around Jaipur, with room for the whole family, a pool for the afternoons and a quiet lawn for the puja. Explore villas in Jaipur  >

Dhanteras and Diwali in Jaipur: Frequently Asked Questions

When is Dhanteras in Jaipur in 2026?

Dhanteras in Jaipur falls on Friday 6 November 2026. The Trayodashi begins at 10.30 am that day, and the Dhanteras puja muhurat in Jaipur runs from 6.11 pm to 8.07 pm, according to Drik Panchang.

When is Diwali in Jaipur in 2026?

Diwali in Jaipur falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. Govardhan Puja follows on Tuesday 10 November and Bhai Dooj on Wednesday 11 November.

What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Jaipur for Diwali 2026?

The Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Jaipur runs from 6.03 pm to 7.59 pm on Sunday 8 November 2026, according to Drik Panchang. Families who follow a different panchang may see a small difference.

What do people buy on Dhanteras in Jaipur?

Jaipur families buy gold, silver coins, small silver Lakshmi-Ganesh idols and new brass or copper utensils. Many save kundan, meenakari or a gemstone for the day, since Jaipur is a historic centre of gem cutting and jewellery.

How is Dhanteras in Jaipur different from other parts of India?

In Jaipur, Dhanteras is a public outing centred on Johari Bazaar, the jewellers’ market laid out with the city in 1727. Elsewhere the day takes other forms, such as a coriander and jaggery offering in Maharashtra or marundhu in Tamil Nadu.

Which market in Jaipur has the best Diwali lights?

The best Diwali lights are in the walled city. Johari, Bapu, Tripolia, Chandpole, Kishanpole and Gangauri bazaars each decorate their own stretch, and the city honours the three best-lit markets. Start at Hawa Mahal and Badi Chaupar.

Where can I see Jaipur’s Diwali lights from above?

Nahargarh Fort gives the widest view. Arrive before sunset and stay as the lights come on across the old city. Check the fort’s evening hours before you go.

What time can you burst crackers in Jaipur on Diwali?

Rajasthan allows only green crackers, between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali night. Check the latest local order and your villa’s house rules before the evening.

Are Jaipur markets open on Diwali day?

Many traders close early on Diwali evening for their own puja. Plan your shopping for Dhanteras and Saturday, when the bazaars are at their brightest.

Where should families stay in Jaipur for Dhanteras and Diwali?

A private villa on the edge of the city keeps the puja calm and the bazaars within reach. SaffronStays Ambika Farms suits families of up to 12 and Kanota Courtyard has room for up to 24 guests and their pets.