Festive frenzy fuels Rs 300-crore shopping boom in Chandigarh Tricity

The Tricity of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula was shimmering under a golden glow of lights and celebration on Friday as residents usher in the twin festivities of Dhanteras on October 18 and Diwali on October 20.

From early morning till late night, roads and streets were jammed with vehicles, markets were thronged by eager shoppers and cash counters were ringing non-stop — turning this festive week into one of the most economically vibrant in recent years.

Major markets such as Sectors 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 35, 15, 7 and 26 in Chandigarh, Phase 3B1, 3B2, 5, 7, 9, 10 and Sohana in Mohali, and Sectors 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14 and 17 in Panchkula witnessed heavy footfall. Shop fronts sparkled with fairy lights, floral garlands and festive décor, while stalls selling diyas, candles, sweets, utensils, idols and decorative items spilled over onto the streets. Loudspeakers played bhajans, selfie corners attracted crowds and the air was thick with the scent of marigolds and fresh sweets.

Traders’ associations estimate that festive sales across the Tricity will cross Rs 250-300 crore, with a 30-40% jump over the last year’s figures. The buoyant sentiment cuts across all categories — from jewellery, apparel and electronics to automobiles and home décor — marking a strong rebound for local businesses.

What's new this festive season

Digital gold & silver rush: Online platforms were witnessing record purchases of digital gold and silver, a trend driven by young professionals and first-time investors who prefer convenience over physical assets.

Eco-friendly festivity: Sales of clay diyas, reusable décor, bamboo lamps and organic rangoli colours have soared, marking a visible shift toward greener celebrations.

Smart homes & tech gifts: Smart TVs, air fryers, robot vacuum cleaners and AI-enabled devices are dominating wish lists, with electronics outlets reporting over 25% sales growth.

Lightweight luxury: Minimalist gold jewellery and silver accessories are outselling traditional heavy sets, reflecting changing consumer tastes.

Shared mobility on the rise: Due to traffic and parking chaos, cab-pooling and e-scooter rentals have seen a sharp uptick across the Tricity.

“Even with gold crossing the price of Rs 1.35 lakh per 10 grams and silver breaching Rs 1.77 lakh per kg, the enthusiasm hasn’t dimmed,” says Piyush Gupta, a jeweller in Sector 35, adding: “People are buying smaller pieces, coins and lightweight jewellery, but the sheer volume of buyers is overwhelming.”

Electronics dealers report a 25% increase in sales, led by smart TVs, washing machines and kitchen appliances. “Customers are upgrading their homes this Diwali,” says Kapil Kumar, who runs an appliance store in Sector 18.

Automobile showrooms are also witnessing brisk business. Manisha Sharma, a Mohali-based auto dealer, notes, “Bookings have doubled compared to last year. People believe buying a car or scooter on Dhanteras brings prosperity.” Two-wheeler sales, in particular, have surged, with many dealers running short on stock.

Sweets shops and bakeries, meanwhile, are working round the clock to meet record orders for premium gift boxes and assorted mithai.

Everywhere, the festive mood is unmistakable. Young women, girls and children in glittering ethnic wear filled the markets, trying on jewellery, taking selfies and sampling sweets. Families were seen balancing shopping bags, buying gift boxes and new utensils — symbolic of wealth and good luck on Dhanteras.

The economic rush, however, came with familiar festive gridlock. Roads around Sectors 22, 35, 17 and 15, Hallomajra Chowk and Tribune Chowk in Chandigarh and key market belts of Mohali and Panchkula witnessed bumper-to-bumper traffic, with vehicles crawling at a snail’s pace. Parking slots were full, and shoppers left their vehicles blocks away to make it to stores.

“It took 40 minutes just to find parking space,” says Poonam Malhotra, a shopper from Sector 38. Local police have issued advisories urging residents to use public transport or shared rides, but congestion continued well past midnight.

Traders say this season has brought long-awaited cheer to small and medium businesses hit by sluggish demand earlier in the year. “This is the revival phase,” says Deepak Arora, president of the Market Welfare Association. “We haven’t seen this level of crowd and spending since the pandemic. The festival has injected both joy and money into the local economy.”

As the Tricity glows brighter with each passing hour, it’s not just lights and diyas illuminating the skyline — it’s the unmistakable sparkle of renewed confidence, prosperity and joy. Amid honking cars, glittering shop fronts and crowded streets, one thing is clear: this Diwali, the Tricity’s festive spirit — and its spending power — are shining at their brightest.

Significance of Dhanteras

Dhanteras, or Dhantrayodashi, marks the start of the five-day Diwali festival. Falling on the 13th day of Krishna Paksha in Kartik month, it honours Lord Dhanvantari, the divine healer, and Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. It is considered auspicious to buy gold, silver, utensils or new household goods on this day to invite prosperity and ward off misfortune. Homes are cleaned, decorated with rangolis, and lit with 13 diyas symbolising good health and fortune. Prayers, pujas and rituals invoking Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari are performed to mark the beginning of Diwali celebrations.