Dhanteras 2024 Shubh Muhurat: Auspicious puja timings, rahu kaal, and puja vidhi today

Dhanteras, the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, is being celebrated today, 29th October by Indians across the world. On this auspicious day, devotees across India worship Lord Kuber and Lord Dhanvantari, praying for prosperity and health. Buying precious metals and other items is a longstanding tradition, believed to invite good fortune and abundance.

Dhanteras Shubh Muhurat Timings for Puja and Gold Purchases

This year’s Dhanteras puja muhurat falls between 6:57 PM and 8:21 PM, aligning with the Pradosh Kaal from 5:55 PM to 8:21 PM and the Vrishabha Kaal from 6:57 PM to 9:00 PM. The Trayodashi Tithi begins at 10:31 AM on October 29 and continues until 1:15 PM on October 30, providing an auspicious window for rituals and purchases.

For those seeking the best time to buy gold and silver on Dhanteras, the Pradosh Kaal in each city marks the optimal period. Here are the top Dhanteras muhurats in major cities:

• Pune: 7:01 PM to 8:33 PM
• New Delhi: 6:31 PM to 8:13 PM
• Chennai: 6:44 PM to 8:11 PM
• Jaipur: 6:40 PM to 8:20 PM
• Hyderabad: 6:45 PM to 8:15 PM
• Gurgaon: 6:32 PM to 8:14 PM
• Chandigarh: 6:29 PM to 8:13 PM
• Kolkata: 5:57 PM to 7:33 PM
• Mumbai: 7:04 PM to 8:37 PM
• Bengaluru: 6:55 PM to 8:22 PM
• Ahmedabad: 6:59 PM to 8:35 PM
• Noida: 6:31 PM to 8:12 PM

What to Buy on Dhanteras for Prosperity

Purchasing items on Dhanteras is rooted in tradition, with people bringing home gold, silver, and copper items as symbols of wealth and good fortune. Common items include clay or metal idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha, which are often integral to Diwali celebrations. The day is also associated with Dhanvantri Jayanti, celebrating Lord Dhanvantri, the god of medicine and Ayurveda.

Gold coins, especially those bearing symbols or images of Goddess Lakshmi, are considered particularly auspicious. These coins, along with other forms of gold jewelry, are believed to bring prosperity and are traditionally included in Diwali Lakshmi Puja. Silver items like coins, bowls, and tumblers are also popular choices, while many also choose to buy stainless steel, brass, or copper utensils to symbolize abundance.

Modern-day Dhanteras shopping has expanded to include electronics such as mobile phones, laptops, and kitchen appliances like microwaves and refrigerators. Vehicles, too, are increasingly popular purchases on this day, symbolizing prosperity and growth.

Dhanteras 2024 Timing: Puja Vidhi

Rituals on this day include worshipping Laxmi Mata during the Pradosh Kaal Sthir Lagna. Lighting a diya with mustard oil and placing it outside is done to honor Lord Yama, the god of death, to ward off evil and prevent untimely death.

Puja Vidhi involves:

1. Cleaning and decorating the house with lights, flowers, and rangoli.
2. Performing a ritual bath and lighting a diya with ghee in front of the idols.
3. Buying gold, silver, or other symbolic items.
4. Performing puja during Sthir Lagna and Pradosh Kaal.
5. Offering flowers, haldi, kumkum, and akshat to the idols while chanting mantras.
6. Presenting bhog prasad, such as rice kheer and special Naivedya in Maharashtra.
7. Honoring Lord Yama with a four-faced diya placed in the south.
8. Distributing prasad among family members.

The celebration marks the start of Diwali, a five-day festival culminating with Bhai Dooj.

Mantras recited during the rituals include:
1. "Om Shree Dhanvantre Namaha..!!"
2. "Om Namo Laxmi Narayanaye Namah..!!"
3. "Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed, Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmaye Namaha..!!"
4. "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaaya, Dhanvantaraye Amrita- Kalasha Hastaaya Sarva-amaya Vinashaaya Trailokya Naathaya Dhanvantri Maha-vishnave Namaha..!!"

With these rituals and celebrations, Dhanteras holds significant importance in Indian culture and religious practices.