Jamshedpur: The festive spirit gripped the city as residents thronged markets and showrooms to celebrate Dhanteras, the auspicious beginning of Diwali.
The city witnessed a massive shopping rush in the early morning, with glittering jewellery stores, electronic outlets, and automobile showrooms bustling with enthusiastic buyers.
Despite intermittent drizzles, the excitement among shoppers remained undiminished.
Roads leading to major markets such as Bistupur, Sakchi, and Kadma were choked with vehicles, while parking lots remained full throughout the day.
Traders, too, had reason to cheer as sales across categories saw a remarkable surge compared to last year.
Traditionally, Dhanteras is considered the most auspicious day for purchasing gold and silver. This year, however, a noticeable shift was seen in consumer preferences.
While jewellery stores continued to attract loyal customers, electronic goods dealers reported an unexpected boom.
Products such as LED televisions, smartphones, washing machines, and kitchen appliances flew off the shelves, reflecting changing urban aspirations.
“A new trend has emerged where people are choosing electronic gadgets over gold ornaments. Working professionals, especially the younger generation, prefer to invest in items that add value to their daily lives. Our sales of electronic goods have shot up by nearly 60 percent this season, thanks to attractive festive discounts and easy finance options,” said an electronics dealer in Bistupur.
Jewellery outlets, however, were no less crowded. Long queues were seen outside prominent jewellers, with families purchasing coins, bangles, and lightweight ornaments.
“Gold remains a symbol of prosperity and tradition. Most buyers prefer small items as a token purchase on Dhanteras, keeping the custom alive,” said a local jeweller.
Automobile showrooms also witnessed brisk business as many people took delivery of their newly purchased cars and two-wheelers on this auspicious day.
“Customers want their vehicles to arrive on Dhanteras. It’s considered a lucky start. Our sales have nearly doubled, and advance bookings were overwhelming this time,” said a representative from a popular car dealership.
Markets across Jamshedpur wore a festive look, illuminated with colorful lights and decorated with flowers and rangoli.
Sweet shops, utensil stores, and home décor outlets also reported heavy footfall. Families could be seen shopping together, buying gifts, diyas, and idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha in preparation for Diwali.
Dhanteras, also known as Dhanvantari Trayodashi, is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October–November).
The festival derives its name from the word “Dhan”, meaning wealth. Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity, and Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician.
For the mercantile community in particular, Dhanteras holds immense significance, symbolizing both spiritual and material prosperity.
The city’s traders, goldsmiths, and showroom owners described the day as “excellent for business” and a welcome revival after months of sluggish sales.
As dusk fell, homes and marketplaces across Jamshedpur shimmered with diyas and lights, marking the onset of Diwali with renewed hope, joy, and prosperity.
The city’s vibrant mood reflected not just the economic upturn but also the enduring faith in traditions that continue to unite people year after year.
