All that glitters is not just gold on Dhanteras
Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, November 5
The sales of cars and utensils picked up pace on Dhanteras in the city. Markets, especially Dhobi Bazaar, Post Office Bazaar and Hospital Bazaar, on Monday witnessed a huge rush.
All shops, particularly of utensils, jewellery and electronic home appliances were decked up with a range of decorative items as buying gold and silver ornaments and utensils made of brass, copper or bronze on Dhanteras is considered auspicious.
The Hyundai showroom in the city on Monday sold around 20 cars against the normal sale of two to three cars a day.
The Deep Honda showroom sold eight cars while other car agencies also did brisk business.
While a number of people chose to shop at the local markets, many people opted for online shopping as many online shopping sites have announced huge discount on most products.
Sakshi Garg, a city resident, said, “Every year, we buy some gold jewellery as it is cheaper on Dhanteras. But this year, I have brought silver coins and some crockery.”
Even Dhanteras, which is considered auspicious for buying gold and utensils, failed to uplift the traders’ spirits.
They rued lower sales as compared to the last year. Market traders have also offered competitive prices and free gifts to compete with online market sites. Jewellers offered huge discount on making charges.
Surinder Singh, a trader dealing in utensils, said practically, there was a rise in the sale as compared to routine days, but it was not bumper sales as compared to earlier Dhanteras.
Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi falls on the 13th day of the lunar phase or ‘Krishna Paksha’ in the Hindu month of Kartik.
It is believed that buying gold and silver on this auspicious day brings prosperity.
Even though the city police had made elaborative arrangements, the force seemed inadequate to manage the traffic, which continued to swell as the evening set in.
