Varanasi@Udaan India: In Kashi, the Diwali celebrations are in full swing over the three-day festival. After Dhanteras, Choti Diwali continued the festive cheer with bustling markets filled with shoppers. From sweets and jewelry to automobiles, electronics, flowers, and worship materials, every corner of the marketplace saw crowds eager to make their purchases. The shops were decorated beautifully, and the enthusiasm of the people was a sight to see.

This year, around ₹3,000 crore worth of sales were recorded on Dhanteras alone, with jewelry, automobiles, electronics, kitchenware, furniture, bedsheets, sweets, firecrackers, lights, candles, and decorations among the top-selling items.

Santosh Kumar Agarwal, president of the Varanasi Jewellers’ Association, shared that business exceeded expectations on Choti Diwali. Similarly, Amit Agarwal, head of Narayan Das Sarraf & Sons Jewelers, mentioned that there was a high turnout after Dhanteras as well. Despite the rising prices of gold and silver, the demand remained strong as customers showed enthusiasm.

Bumper Sales in Vehicles and Electronics


The automobile market in Varanasi also saw a remarkable boom. UR Singh, vice-president of the Varanasi Automobile Dealers Association, reported that nearly 5,000 vehicles were sold on Dhanteras, with the majority being two-wheelers. Around 8,000 vehicles were sold during Navratri, and with the wedding season approaching, further purchases are anticipated.

Electronics saw a similar trend, with a surge in the sale of items like LED TVs, washing machines, and refrigerators. Ajit Kumar Upadhyay, director of Kashika Enterprises, highlighted that electronic goods have also seen substantial sales this Diwali, as people continue to buy for the festive and wedding seasons.

Rising Gold and Silver Prices Don’t Deter Buyers
The day after Dhanteras, gold and silver prices spiked significantly, with gold crossing ₹82,000 per tola and silver nearing ₹1,00,000 per kilogram. Despite these price hikes, shoppers’ enthusiasm remained high, with many still making festive purchases.

Data from October 26 to October 30 reveals a steady increase in gold and silver prices, reflecting a strong demand for jewelry as Diwali approaches.

Conclusion
This Diwali season has brought vibrant energy to the markets of Kashi. It has been a profitable time for both traders and customers, with the festive spirit showing no signs of slowing down as the wedding season begins.