Dhanteras opens the five days of Diwali — the evening the first diyas are lit, Lakshmi and Dhanvantari are worshipped, and families head out to buy gold, silver, or at least a new utensil for luck. It's a festival about abundance, and the dressing follows: gold tones, auspicious yellows and reds, and a look that works from the jeweller's counter at 5 p.m. to the puja at home after dark. Here's how to dress for it.
The Dhanteras Palette: Wear the Wealth
Gold is the day's own colour — worn, not just bought. Yellow and haldi tones carry the same auspicious charge; red and pink belong to Lakshmi; and metallic shimmer of any kind — zari, gota, sequins — is exactly in the spirit of an evening devoted to prosperity. The one rule shared across households: keep black for another day of the season, like the card party.
The Gold-Bordered Saree
Nothing says Dhanteras like gold on a drape. The Fida saree in pure chiffon is finished with a broad gold lappa lace border, its sheer length scattered with hand-embroidered sequins like dew — a minimal palette that lets the gold do all the celebrating. It's light enough for the errand-running half of the evening and luminous enough for the aarti.
Auspicious Yellow, One Layer at a Time
If you're dressing an outfit you already own into the festival, reach for yellow. The Aavya dupatta in yellow organza carries exquisite gold embroidery with delicate floral motifs and gold sequins along the edges — over an ivory, green, or even plain yellow suit, it converts everyday clothes into Dhanteras clothes in one gesture.
Heritage Shimmer for the Puja
For the puja itself — thali in hand, diyas on the threshold — a dupatta with old-festive lineage completes the picture. The Kainaat dupatta in sheer organza is hand-embroidered with circular medallions of gota patti, sequins, resham, and beadwork, drawn from the phool jhaal odhanis of archival festive textiles. It's the kind of piece that looks like it has always been part of the family Diwali — which, from this year on, it will be.
Dressing for the Whole Evening
- The jeweller's-shop test — Dhanteras evening means crowds, counters, and standing; choose drapes and sets you can move through a busy market in.
- Wear your gold — this is the one evening when your existing gold jewellery is practically ritual dress; let bangles and jhumkas out of the locker.
- Diya-proof your dupatta — you'll be lighting lamps at doorways; pin trailing layers away from open flames.
- Plan the season in one order — Dhanteras opens five days of functions; made-to-order pieces take 4–5 weeks, so order your Diwali wardrobe by early October.
Handcrafted Abundance
Every Rashika Mittal piece is handcrafted by karigars in Jaipur and made to order — real handwork, in the festival of real gold. Explore our sarees, dupattas, and kurta sets.
Shop the Festive EditFrequently Asked Questions
What colours should I wear on Dhanteras?
Gold, yellow, red, and pink are the most auspicious Dhanteras choices — gold and yellow for prosperity, red and pink for Lakshmi. Metallic detail like zari, gota, and sequins suits the spirit of the evening perfectly. Black is traditionally avoided on puja days of the Diwali week.
What is Dhanteras and when is it?
Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, falling two days before the main Diwali night (October–November). It honours Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, and Dhanvantari, the divine physician — and it's considered highly auspicious to buy gold, silver, or new utensils, light the first diyas, and perform an evening puja.
Do I need a new outfit for Dhanteras?
New clothes on Dhanteras are considered auspicious in many families, but you don't need a full outfit — a new handcrafted dupatta in yellow or gold over existing clothes honours the custom beautifully, and doubles as the start of your Diwali-week wardrobe. If you do want new pieces for the season, order made-to-order items 4–5 weeks ahead.
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