Dhanteras 2025: Planning to buy gold? Here is the auspicious time and how to invest

While the five-day Diwali festival begins with Dhanteras, the day holds immense significance for millions of Indians who consider this as the most auspicious time to buy gold and silver.

Dhanteras is celebrated on the Trayodashi Tithi (13th day) of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik and is marked by prayers to Lord Kuber and Goddess Laxmi, symbols of wealth and prosperity.

According to Hindu beliefs, acquiring precious metals on this day is not just a tradition, but a way to invite good luck and abundance into one’s life.

Dhanteras is more than just a shopping venue. It marks the beginning of Diwali and sets the tone for the festive atmosphere. Markets across the country are witnessing a surge in footfall as families flock to invest in gold, silver and other valuables.

From traditional coins and jewelry to digital gold and ETFs, the modern Indian investor has a range of options to align both spiritual sentiment and financial prudence. With the price of gold rising steadily over the past year, many are eager to know not only the best time to buy, but also the safest and most effective ways to invest.

Here is a detailed look at the most auspicious muhurat for buying gold this Dhanteras, followed by a guide to various gold investment options, and finally the prospects for gold outside the festival.

Favorable time to buy gold on Dhanteras 2025

Dhanteras falls on October 18 in 2025. According to the Hindu calendar, Trayodashi Tithi starts at 12:18 PM and ends at 1:51 PM on the same day. Within this window lies the most spiritually important time to make purchases, especially during:

• Dhanteras puja time: October 18, from 7:15 PM to 8:19 PM
• Pradosh Kaal: 5:48 PM to 8:19 PM
• Vrishabha Kaal: 7:15 PM to 9:11 PM

Apart from this, Choghadiya’s timings, which are considered very favorable, also suggest several good buying opportunities:

• Afternoon Muhurat (Chara, Labha, Amrita): 12:18 PM to 4:23 PM
• Evening Muhurat (Labha): 5:48 PM to 7:23 PM
• Night Muhurat (Shubha, Amrita, Chara): October 19, 8:57 PM to 1:41 AM
• Early morning Muhurat (Labha): October 19, 4:50 AM to 6:24 AM

Purchases on October 19 are also considered promising until 1:51 PM, with favorable Choghadiya slots from 7:50 AM to 12:06 PM and from 1:31 PM to 1:51 PM.

How can investors buy gold this Dhanteras?

While traditional purchases of gold jewellery, coins and silverware dominate the festive landscape, retail investors today have a wide variety of financial instruments at their disposal to participate in the gold rally without the burden of mark-up or high capital expenditure.

These are the main ways to invest in gold:

1. Gold ETFs: Gold Exchange-Traded Funds offer high liquidity, ease of trading and transparency. Funds like SPDR GLD provide exposure to gold prices without having to own physical gold.
   
   
2. Digital gold: This enables micro-investments in gold, often starting with just one rupee. Investors can collect 24K gold stored in insured vaults through digital platforms.
3. Gold investment funds: These funds invest in gold ETFs and are ideal for those without a demat account. They offer professional management and can be accessed through SIPs or lump sums.
4. Physical gold: Coins and bars remain popular during Dhanteras because of their cultural and emotional value. Buyers usually choose certified dealers online or offline.
5. Futures and options: Gold futures and options traded on platforms such as MCX are more suitable for experienced investors and offer leveraged exposure to price movements.
   
   
6. Gold mining stocks: Investors looking for potentially higher returns can consider shares in gold mining companies. However, these carry higher risks due to volatility.

Golden prospects after Dhanteras 2025

Gold has seen a significant rise in the past year. According to market data, the price of gold rose from Rs 78,840 per 10 grams on Dhanteras 2024 to Rs 1,28,200 in Dhanteras 2025, giving an annual return of 63% in INR terms and 53% in USD terms.

Analyst reports suggest:

• The next potential resistance levels are between Rs 1,30,000 and Rs 1,35,000, with support around Rs 1,20,000.
• On COMEX, gold is expected to trade between $4,250 and $4,500 per ounce in the near term.
• Longer term forecasts indicate an unknown increase towards $5,000 per ounce or Rs 1,50,000 per 10 grams by 2026.

According to analysts at Motilal Oswal and Ventura Securities, while short-term corrections cannot be ruled out, continued prices above record highs could indicate continued bullish momentum in gold.

As Dhanteras 2025 dawns with strong cultural sentiment and robust financial indicators, investors, be they traditional buyers or market participants, have a wide window and numerous instruments to consider.

Also read: Silver’s Great Decoupling: MCX Prices Rise, but ETFs Fall 8%. What really happens?

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions expressed by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)