Festive Spirit Envelops Patna as Dhanteras Spurs Shopping Frenzy

Aditya Raj

Patna: The city of Patna is ablaze with the spirit of Dhanteras, a festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, as residents thronged the markets until late evening, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of celebratory fervor.

From the early hours of the day, the markets witnessed a steady influx of shoppers, particularly in Bakarganj, Boring Road, Jagdeo Path, Ashok Rajpath, and various other areas. Bullion shops, vehicle showrooms, and utensil stores reported a surge in customers, with jewelry outlets experiencing the highest footfall.

Vishal Gupta, proprietor of Alaka Jewelers at Boring Road, noted a relative dip in sales compared to the previous year. “The market has been subdued for the past two to three months. Today, the rate of 24-carat gold stands at Rs 5,640 per 10 grams,” mentioned Gupta, shedding light on the current market conditions.

Traditionally centered around the purchase of gold, silver, and kitchen utensils, Dhanteras has evolved over time, with people diversifying their choices to bring different categories of products into their homes, all in the spirit of inviting Goddess Lakshmi.

Aditya, a resident of Bakarganj, shared his excitement about Dhanteras, revealing, “I am purchasing a bicycle this Dhanteras, and my mother is keen on acquiring various sets of kitchen utensils.”

Neha Upadhayay, residing in Digha, explained her tradition of buying jewelry on every Dhanteras. “This time, I’ve chosen a pair of gold earrings and a ring for my parents. The discounts on making charges offered by many outlets make Dhanteras an opportune time for such purchases.”

Sonu Singh, a resident of Kankarbagh, recounted his association of the festival with positive times. “Last year, I bought a car, and this year, I’m out to purchase a wall clock and a broom for my house. We associate it with good times, so I’m buying a clock this year and a new broom for the cleanliness of our home.”

Many streets in the city were chock- a- block in the evening hours due to heavy rush of people. Accordingly, several routes were diverted to avoid prolonged snarl but it did not provide much relief for commuters.