Dhanteras, two days before Diwali, is one of the busiest days of the year for buying gold. In 2026 it falls on Friday, 6 November. A little planning helps you buy calmly and pay a fair price.
The rate does not fall for the festival
The gold rate follows the world market, not the calendar. Shops are busier around Dhanteras, and strong local demand can push the market premium up a little. Watch the rate history in the weeks before, so you know what a normal rate looks like.
Set a budget first
Decide how much you want to spend, including making charges and GST. The bill calculator can work out how many grams your budget buys at a given making charge.
How festival offers work
Common offers include lower or zero making charges, discounts on diamonds or stones, and free gold coins above a certain bill. Before you pick a shop for its offer, check:
- its gold rate per gram that day
- whether a wastage or VA charge has been added
- which designs the offer covers
Compare the final price per gram, all in. See making charges explained.
Booking in advance
Some jewellers let you book gold at a fixed rate before the festival if you pay an advance. Read the terms carefully: what happens to the rate and to your advance if the price falls or you cancel.
Coins as gifts
Gold coins are a popular Dhanteras purchase. Buy coins with a clear purity mark from a trusted seller, and keep the invoice. Coins usually carry lower making charges than jewellery, but packaging and branding can add to the price.
Check before you pay
- The hallmark: the BIS mark, the purity and the HUID. See how to check a hallmark.
- The bill: net gold weight, purity, rate, making charge, hallmarking charge and GST, each shown separately.
- The exchange and buyback terms, in writing.
Paying for larger purchases
Under income-tax rules:
- you must give your PAN for a purchase of more than ₹2 lakh, however you pay. If you do not have a PAN, you can give a declaration instead.
- a shop cannot accept ₹2 lakh or more in cash for a single purchase, so pay larger amounts by UPI, card, cheque or bank transfer.
Keep your papers
Store the bill, with the HUID details, somewhere safe. You will need it to sell, exchange or insure the piece later.
Sources
- Bureau of Indian Standards, Brief on Hallmarking Scheme, updated 1 October 2026
- Income Tax Department, incometaxindia.gov.in (PAN and cash rules)