GUWAHATI, Oct 21 � People today went on a frenetic purchase of precious metals on the occasion of Dhanteras, the auspicious occasion to buy gold, silver, steel etc, ahead of the ensuing Dipawali.
Since it is believed that investing in metals on this occasion brings prosperity and stability in the house, every year, more and more customers in this part of the country are getting attracted to this trend, irrespective of caste, community and faith.
A huge rush of customers was noticed in Guwahati at the jewellery and kitchenware shops since the morning hours today. Customers, mostly women, made a beeline at the shops to get the best of deals.
In Guwahati, 22-carat gold, widely used in jewellery and coin-making, was sold at the rate of Rs 26,600 per 10 grams. According to the CEO of a prominent jewellery shop chain in Guwahati, the number of customers on the occasion of Dhanteras is increasing with each passing year in Assam.
�Not restricted to the customers of North Indian communities, this festival is now equally popular among the customers of Assamese, Bengali, Nepali and other communities. People mostly prefer purchasing lightweight and daily wear ornaments and we also prefer selling the same as it is difficult to handle the heavy rush and showcase heavy jewellery items at the same time,� he added.
Jewellery shops are also giving discounts on the making charges and other lucrative offers to ensure maximum customers.
The rate for silver in Guwahati today was Rs 41,000 per kg. The most popular silver items sold at Dhanteras are small figures of Lakshmi and Ganesha, silver coins and small silver utensils, etc.
�With growing popularity of the festival due to mass media impact and attractive offers doled out by the traders, it is difficult to avoid the temptation to invest in precious metals. Moreover, as the gold and silver prices are sure to shoot up in a few years, it seems a good investment,� said Kaveri Deka, an IT professional, who purchased a gold pendant on the occasion of Dhanteras.
While gold and silver merchants did a brisk business today, bulk stocks of steel items were also sold out from kitchen marts, etc.
