Rs 1.5 Lakh for 10g Gold: Should You Buy Before Dhanteras?

Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, November 6. And gold prices are doing something unusual this year — they are cooling off just before the biggest buying day of the year.

Updated: October 19, 2026, 4:00 PM IST

Quick Read

• Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, November 6, with evening puja muhurat varying by city (Delhi 6:02–7:57 PM, Mumbai 6:35–8:35 PM, Kolkata 5:28–7:26 PM).
• Gold is around Rs 1.5 lakh per 10 grams — down from record highs earlier this year. Expert Ajay Kedia says accumulate near Rs 1.45–1.46 lakh.
• Always buy BIS-hallmarked jewellery, check making charges separately, and never buy gold on a “no-bill” discount.

Gold is the classic Dhanteras purchase. Lakshmi puja, the goddess of wealth, sits at the heart of the festival. For many families, buying even a gram of gold on Dhanteras is a tradition they will not skip.

But this year the price tag is scary. So let’s look at what gold actually costs today, what experts are saying, and how to buy smart.

What gold costs today in India

Prices change daily and differ by city. The latest base rates, as reported by GoodReturns on October 19, 2026: 24 karat gold: Rs 14,804 per gram (Rs 1,48,040 per 10 grams); 22 karat gold: Rs 13,570 per gram (Rs 1,35,700 per 10 grams); 18 karat gold: Rs 11,103 per gram. That means 10 grams of 22-karat gold — the type most Indian jewellery is made from — costs about Rs 1,35,700 before making charges. Add making charges and GST, and a simple 10-gram chain can easily cross Rs 1.5 lakh at the shop counter. On MCX, December gold futures are trading near Rs 1,48,312 per 10 grams.

In plain words: gold has fallen from its peak. You missed the very top. That’s good news if you are a buyer.

Also read: Rupee Near All-Time Low: Why It Keeps Falling

What the experts are saying

Ajay Suresh Kedia, founder and director of Kedia Advisory, told ETV Bharat on October 13 that gold and silver both look positive after a sharp correction. His advice: accumulate gold near Rs 1,45,000–1,46,000 per 10 grams. He sees year-end potential of Rs 1,75,000–1,80,000.

In a separate ETV Bharat interview on September 24, Kedia added that he expects gold to test Rs 1,80,000 per 10 grams by Diwali or year-end 2026 — roughly 18% upside from current levels — and silver to test Rs 3,00,000 per kilogram.

On silver: prices are above Rs 2 lakh per kg. Kedia sees support near Rs 2,10,000 with possible upside toward Rs 2,90,000–3,00,000. His reasoning: central banks are still buying gold, ETF inflows are strong, and festive demand will support prices.

A Mirae Asset report titled “Why Gold ETF Now?” — cited by Outlook Money — makes the same point for investors: the long-term investment case for gold is intact even though prices dipped.

Now the honest part. These are forecasts, not guarantees. Gold prices can and do fall. The rupee is weak, which keeps domestic prices higher even when international prices cool. Buy because Dhanteras matters to you — not because someone promised a return.

Dhanteras 2026 puja timings by city

The muhurat is not the same across India. Local sunset changes the timing. According to Templesmap’s 2026 calculations (matching Drik Panchang data):

Drik Panchang lists Trayodashi tithi as starting 10:30 AM on November 6 and ending 10:47 AM on November 7. The evening of November 6 is when Lakshmi and Kubera puja happens, during the Pradosh period.

Drik Panchang gives the precise evening windows: Vrishabha Kaal — the best time for the Lakshmi-Kubera puja — runs 6:05 PM to 8:02 PM, falling inside Pradosh Kaal (5:34 PM to 8:09 PM).

If your town is not on the list, check a proper panchang app for your exact location. Don’t copy your relative’s city timing — Kolkata starts almost an hour before Mumbai.

Also read: Diwali 2026 Date: When Is Diwali This Year? Full 5-Day Guide

How to buy gold smart on Dhanteras

A few rules that save real money:

Buy only BIS-hallmarked jewellery. The hallmark is your proof of purity. No hallmark, no deal. This is the single most important check.

Ask for the making-charge break-up. Shops sometimes hide high making charges inside a “discounted” price. Get the gold rate, weight, and making charge as separate lines on the bill.

Take the bill, always. A jeweller who offers a discount for no bill is offering you stolen purity, not savings. Without a bill you cannot return, exchange, or insure the piece.

22 karat vs 24 karat. Pure 24-karat gold is too soft for daily-wear jewellery. That’s why jewellery is 22 karat (91.6% pure). Coins and bars for investment are usually 24 karat.

Consider the alternatives. If Rs 1.5 lakh feels too steep, you can still honor the Dhanteras tradition: silver coins, small gold tokens, or even a gold ETF/mutual fund purchase online. The ritual is about welcoming wealth — the amount is your choice.

Silver is the quiet Dhanteras winner

Silver prices are above Rs 2 lakh per kg, which sounds steep. But small silver coins are cheap, and many families now buy them as the token Dhanteras purchase instead of stretching for gold. Kedia sees silver support near Rs 2,10,000 per kg with possible upside toward Rs 2,90,000–3,00,000, and cites strong consumption plus supply-deficit concerns as the reason. A silver Lakshmi-Ganesha coin set — the classic Dhanteras gift — costs far less than even a gram of gold. Last year many buyers shifted to silver when gold crossed their budget. That pattern may repeat this Dhanteras.

Also read: Sensex Jumps 200 Pts as IMF Raises India GDP Forecast to 7%

What happens next

Dhanteras falls on November 6, with the full Diwali week following right after. Watch gold rates in the last week of October — jewellers usually announce Dhanteras offers then, and a weak global trend could bring prices closer to the Rs 1.45 lakh level experts are watching. Book your muhurat, fix your budget, and shop from a jeweller you trust.

FAQ

Q: What is the exact date of Dhanteras 2026?
A: Friday, November 6, 2026. Lakshmi-Kubera puja happens in the evening during the Pradosh period, with timings varying by city.

Q: Should I buy gold now or wait till Dhanteras?
A: Gold is currently about 16% below its all-time high, and experts see this dip as a buying window. Prices could fall further or rise — nobody knows. If you plan to buy for Dhanteras anyway, buying during a dip week is reasonable. Don’t buy on borrowed money.

Q: Is gold jewellery or gold coins better on Dhanteras?
A: Coins and bars have lower making charges and are purer (usually 24 karat), so they suit investment. Jewellery costs more per gram because of design work, but you also get something to wear. Both count for the Dhanteras tradition.

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