Shops in Hyderabad Make Moolah on Dhanteras

HYDERABAD: Shops selling jewellery, vehicles and appliances had a field day on Friday with heavy footfalls as people bought new products to celebrate Dhanteras or Dhana Trayodashi.

Commercial establishments across the city were gleefully decorated and offered special discounts to lure customers.

From this day onwards, earthen lamps (diyas) will be lit as part of the Diwali celebrations. According to the astrologers, ‘Trayodashi’ — the thirteenth day of the lunar calendar — is considered auspicious to bring home new jewellery or any other asset.

The price of gold in Hyderabad on Friday was Rs 5,600 per gram of 22 karat purity, and Rs 6,109 per gram of 24 karat purity. Despite the soaring prices, the shops were full and made a roaring business.

“For us, it is an auspicious day. So we buy gold, silver, appliances and vehicles on this day. From this day onwards, we light diyas (earthen lamps) in the house, which will continue till the festival is over,” said one of the customers.

“It is our belief that buying them would bring a lot of good luck to us. Most of the people will buy Lakshmi souvenirs made of gold and silver.”