Dhanteras 2025: In a remarkable show of festive fervour and financial confidence, Indian consumers spent an estimated ₹1 lakh crore during this year’s Dhanteras celebrations, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). The surge came despite unprecedented spikes in gold and silver prices, with buyers thronging markets across major cities and small towns alike.
Precious Metals Lead the Festive Charge
Jewellery purchases dominated the spending spree, contributing nearly ₹60,000 crore—a substantial 25% increase over last year. What makes this even more striking is the sharp rise in prices:
- Gold: Up by 60% year-on-year, surpassing ₹1,30,000 per 10 grams
- Silver: Jumped around 55% to ₹1,80,000 per kilogram from ₹98,000 last year
Even at these record highs, buyers continued to queue at bullion markets, driven by tradition, investment sentiment, and festive optimism.
“The past two days have seen an unprecedented rush in jewellery markets,” said Pankaj Arora, National President of CAIT’s jewellery chapter, the All India Jewellers and Goldsmith Federation.
Delhi alone recorded sales exceeding ₹10,000 crore, reflecting strong urban consumer confidence.
Festival Traditions Meet Modern Spending
Dhanteras, celebrated on the thirteenth day of Kartik, marks the ceremonial start of the Diwali festivities. It is widely regarded as an auspicious occasion to buy gold, silver, utensils, electronics, and household goods as symbols of prosperity and good fortune.
This year’s spending pattern reflects both tradition and evolving consumer choices:
- Utensils & kitchen appliances – ₹15,000 crore
- Electronics & electrical goods – ₹10,000 crore
- Decorative items & religious products – ₹3,000 crore
From jewellery bazaars and local retail shops to bustling malls, markets across India reported record-breaking footfall.
Policy Push and ‘Make in India’ Sentiment Boost Sales
CAIT Secretary General and Member of Parliament Praveen Khandelwal credited part of the surge to reduced GST rates and growing public preference for domestically manufactured products.
“Consumers are showing a clear preference for Indian products, benefiting small traders, artisans and manufacturers,” he said.
Local manufacturers, traditional artisans and small shopowners reportedly gained significantly, as the “vocal for local” sentiment gained momentum during the festive shopping season.
A Festival of Faith and Financial Strength
This year’s Dhanteras spending paints a vivid picture of consumer resilience and cultural continuity. Even soaring metal prices could not dampen festive enthusiasm. Instead, buyers displayed confidence in gold and silver as long-term assets and symbols of cultural prosperity.
With Diwali festivities underway, this robust start signals a booming retail season—and renewed optimism among traders and consumers nationwide.
