Dhanteras Puja Muhurat · South Africa
All times are Johannesburg local time (UTC+2).
Dhanteras opens the five days of Diwali. It honours Lord Dhanvantari, who rose from the churning of the ocean with the pot of amrit, together with Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera. It is the most auspicious day of the year to buy gold, silver and new utensils, and in the evening a lamp is lit for Yama (Yama Deepdaan) at the doorway.
Dhanteras is kept on the day Trayodashi holds during Pradosh Kaal, the first fifth of the night after sunset.
The puja is done in Pradosh Kaal, and best while Vrishabha (Taurus) — a fixed sign — is rising, so that the prosperity invoked stays. The puja muhurat on this page is the part of Pradosh in which Vrishabha rises while Trayodashi still holds.
Gold and silver coins or jewellery, brass and copper utensils, a new broom (for Lakshmi's welcome) and, in many homes, dhaniya (coriander) seeds for the puja. Business owners also begin new account books around this time.
Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November 2026 in Johannesburg.
The part of Pradosh Kaal in which Vrishabha lagna rises while Trayodashi holds; the time for Johannesburg is on this page.