Quick answer: Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November 2026 in South Africa, opening the five days of Diwali. Diwali and Lakshmi Puja are on Sunday 8 November (Naraka Chaturdashi is also observed on the 8th), Govardhan Puja on Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November. Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, the festival comes about three weeks later than last year. Dhanteras puja is done after local sunset: about 6:21 PM in Durban and 6:27 PM in Johannesburg.

Diwali 2026 Dates in South Africa

DayDate (2026)Local sunset
DhanterasFriday 6 NovemberDurban 6:21 PM, Johannesburg 6:27 PM
Naraka ChaturdashiSunday 8 NovemberMorning observance
Diwali / Lakshmi PujaSunday 8 NovemberDurban 6:23 PM, Johannesburg 6:29 PM
Govardhan PujaMonday 9 NovemberDaytime observance
Bhai DoojTuesday 10 NovemberDaytime observance

Puja on Dhanteras and Diwali is done in the Pradosh Kaal, which begins at local sunset. Confirm the exact muhurat for your city (including Cape Town, Pretoria and Pietermaritzburg) on Drik Panchang, and follow the guidance of your temple priest.

What is Dhanteras?

Dhanteras, or Dhanatrayodashi, takes its name from dhan (wealth) and teras (the thirteenth lunar day). It honours Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician who emerged from the churning of the ocean holding the pot of amrit, and it is a day to worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera for prosperity. For South African Hindus, from families settled here for generations to recent arrivals, it means:

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  • Prosperity: inviting Lakshmi into a clean, lamp-lit home.
  • Health: praying to Dhanvantari for the well-being of the family.
  • New beginnings: a fresh start as Diwali begins.
  • Heritage: passing traditions to South African-born children.
  • Community: temple visits and shared celebration across the diaspora.

What to Buy on Dhanteras

Buying something new, especially metal, is the heart of Dhanteras. It symbolises welcoming Lakshmi, not spending for its own sake, so buy within your budget.

  • Gold and silver: coins, small jewellery, a silver diya or a Lakshmi-Ganesha image.
  • Utensils: brass, copper or stainless steel vessels for the kitchen or puja room.
  • A new broom: a humble but traditional purchase, symbolising sweeping away poverty.
  • Puja items: clay diyas, wicks, ghee or oil, incense, kumkum, flowers.
  • Household items: appliances or electronics if you were planning to buy them anyway.
  • Books and study materials: knowledge as wealth, a good gift for children.

Many families also make a contribution to a temple or charity on Dhanteras, which is considered as meritorious as any purchase.

Where to Shop in South Africa

Prices and promotions change every year, so we do not list specific deals. These long-established Indian shopping areas are good places to start; check current trading hours before you go, since Dhanteras falls on a Friday.

  • Johannesburg, Fordsburg and the Oriental Plaza: jewellery, fabrics, ethnic wear, puja items and Indian groceries in one area.
  • Durban, Grey Street area (Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street) and Victoria Street: the historic heart of Indian trade in Durban, with jewellers, clothing stores and spice shops.
  • Pretoria, Asiatic Bazaar (Marabastad): traditional stores for clothing, groceries and festive items.
  • Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg: smaller clusters of Indian stores and Asian grocers in the city centres.
  • Online: South African and international retailers deliver jewellery, clothing and puja items; order early so items arrive before 6 November.

Gold Buying Checklist

  • Check the purity marking: 375 (9ct), 585 (14ct), 750 (18ct) or 916 (22ct).
  • Ask for the weight, the gold price used and the making charge separately.
  • Get a proper tax invoice showing VAT, and keep it safe.
  • Ask about the exchange and buyback policy before you pay.
  • Ask the dealer how VAT applies; bullion coins and jewellery can be treated differently.
  • Insure valuable jewellery and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
  • Be wary of "too good to be true" offers and unknown online sellers.

Your Consumer Rights

South African law gives shoppers useful protection. Under the Consumer Protection Act, goods must be of good quality and fit for purpose, and defective goods can generally be returned within six months for repair, replacement or refund. For most online purchases, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act allows a cooling-off period of seven days. Personalised or custom-made jewellery may be excluded, so read the terms before ordering. Complaints can be taken to the National Consumer Commission.

How to Do Dhanteras Puja at Home

Before the day

  • Clean the home thoroughly, especially the entrance and puja corner.
  • Draw a rangoli at the door and prepare diyas, flowers, sweets and fruit.
  • Place the new purchase near the altar to be blessed.

On the evening of Friday 6 November

  • Bathe and wear clean or new clothes.
  • Light a lamp before Ganesha and chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah".
  • Worship Dhanvantari for health, then Lakshmi and Kubera with flowers, kumkum, rice and sweets.
  • Place your gold, silver or new utensils before the deities and offer a prayer.
  • Perform aarti and share prasad with the family.
  • Light the Yama deepam: a lamp placed outside the home facing south after sunset, praying for protection from untimely death.

Dhanteras Mantras

Lakshmi mantra (108 times): Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmyai Namah.

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Kubera mantra: Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanyasamriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Svaha.

Dhanvantari mantra: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye Amritakalasha Hastaya Sarvamaya Vinashanaya Trailokyanathaya Shri Mahavishnave Namah.

Simple prayer: Om Dhanvantaraye Namah (salutations to Lord Dhanvantari).

Temples and Community Celebrations

South Africa has one of the oldest Hindu communities outside India, and temples across the country mark Diwali with Lakshmi puja, bhajans, prasad, children's programmes and lamp lighting. Long-established places of worship include BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs in Gauteng, the ISKCON Temple of Understanding in Chatsworth, the historic Mariamman Temple in Pretoria's Asiatic Bazaar, and many Tamil, Hindi and Gujarati temples in Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Community bodies such as the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, the Hindu Federation, BAPS and ISKCON coordinate many events.

Check your local temple or association for 2026 Dhanteras and Diwali programmes and timings.

A Greener Dhanteras

  • Choose clay diyas or LED lamps and natural rangoli colours such as rice flour and turmeric.
  • Consider recycled gold or lab-grown stones, and energy-efficient appliances.
  • Carry reusable bags and buy from local South African-Indian businesses.
  • Donate old items instead of discarding them.

Dhanteras 2026 Checklist

  • A week before (by 30 October): set a budget, compare jewellery prices, order online items, plan your temple visit and arrange leave if needed.
  • Thursday 5 November: clean the house, buy puja items, prepare the rangoli area.
  • Friday 6 November: morning prayers, shop for your auspicious item, puja after local sunset, light diyas and the Yama deepam.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dhanteras 2026 in South Africa?

Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday 6 November in South Africa. Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) follows on Sunday 8 November, Govardhan Puja on Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November.

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What time is Dhanteras puja in South Africa?

Dhanteras puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset. On 6 November 2026 the sun sets at about 6:21 PM in Durban and 6:27 PM in Johannesburg. Confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang rather than using an Indian time.

Is Dhanteras or Diwali a public holiday in South Africa?

No. Neither is a national public holiday, but many Hindu employees take leave and some employers allow cultural or religious leave. Diwali falls on a Sunday in 2026.

Can I buy gold online for Dhanteras?

Yes, but buy only from reputable sellers, check the purity marking and return policy, and allow plenty of time for delivery so the item arrives before 6 November.

What if I cannot afford gold or silver?

A new steel or brass utensil, a broom, a small silver coin or simply a lamp lit with devotion is entirely traditional. Dhanteras honours prosperity and health, not the size of the purchase.

Editor's note (4 October 2026)

This guide has been updated for Dhanteras 2026. Dates follow Drik Panchang for South Africa and sunset times are for Durban and Johannesburg. We have removed last year's retailer offers, discounts and muhurat tables, which cannot be carried forward accurately. Confirm the exact puja muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang, and check your local temple or association for 2026 programmes.