Patna: Dhanteras, the traditional festival marking the beginning of the Diwali celebrations and a major day for purchasing new goods, saw tremendous shopping enthusiasm across Bihar this year. Jewelry shops, auto showrooms, electronics, mobile, and utensils stores reported huge crowds and booming business activity throughout the day.
According to preliminary estimates compiled from various trade bodies, the market demonstrated significant resilience and consumer appetite for high-value items, with several segments recording impressive figures.
Glittering Sales for Precious Metals
The demand for traditional investments in precious metals and coins was particularly high. The Jewelers Association reported that by late evening, approximately 4.5 lakh silver coins were sold across Bihar. In the capital city of Patna alone, sales of gold coins exceeded 6,000, highlighting the enduring tradition of investing in gold and silver on this auspicious day.
Automobile Deliveries Surge
The automobile sector recorded an impressive performance, especially in Patna. A total of 2,200 small and big cars were sold in the city, with a significant portion of these vehicles delivered on the day of Dhanteras itself.
The two-wheeler segment also saw high volume. Saurabh Kumar, owner of an automobile showroom at Kankerbagh, noted the strength of the local market, stating, “More than 70 bikes have been delivered since morning. As evening approaches, people are arriving to take delivery of their new bikes. More than 100 bikes are expected to be delivered by tonight.”
Electronic Goods Hit Rs 1000 Crore Mark
Electronic goods generated an enormous turnover, estimated at approximately Rs 1000 crore across the state. Customers showed the greatest interest in large-screen televisions, with 55, 65, and 75-inch models being in the highest demand. Approximately 4,000 large TVs were sold, while the demand for smaller-sized televisions declined comparatively.
In addition to high-value purchases, the most commonly sold item on Dhanteras was the humble broom, which is purchased for its symbolic value of welcoming wealth and prosperity. According to estimates, around 2 crore households in Bihar purchased brooms, contributing an average of Rs 12 crore to the local markets.
