Happy Dhanteras: Five-day Diwali festival begins

New Delhi - Dhanteras officially marked the commencement of five-day-long festival of lights.

While the nation is already soaked in Diwali fever, Dhanteras on Friday officially marked the commencement of five-day-long festival of lights!
Dhanteras also known as Dhantrayodashi, is an Indian festival that literally means 'dhan' or wealth. It is considered auspicious to buy precious metals on this day. To observe the festival of wealth, people across the country offer prayers to Goddess Laxmi and Lord Kuber. And while it is generally considered special to purchase Gold, some others celebrate the day by buying new utensils among other things.
However, this year Gold rate has touched a new high, crossing Rs 40,000/- mark (per 10 GM), which has led to an overall downfall in the purchase of gold and jewelry.
With this, shop owners have witnessed a total of 30 per cent reduction in the sale of gold and jewellery.
"On this day, people consider it auspicious to buy gold, silver coins. This year too people are coming to purchase, however, we have witnessed a 20-30 per cent dip this time," said Tushar Choksi, a jewellery shop owner in Surat.
"The price hike can be attributed to a number of reasons, one of which is that people in the country and around the globe invest in Gold around this time," he added.
Darpan Patel, a customer explained that this time he is buying gold less than what he bought last year.
"Since the price is high this year, we're buying a little less than last time," he said.
The first day of the festival Dipawali, Dhanteras is observed on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Vikram Sambat Hindu calendar month of Aaswayuja in the Amaavasyanta Luni-Solar Calendar

• India