Trade on Dhanteras Expected to Cross ₹1 Lakh Crore; Gold and Silver Sales Top ₹60,000 Crore: CAIT
New Delhi: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has projected that total trade across India on the occasion of Dhanteras is likely to surpass ₹1 lakh crore, with gold and silver sales alone contributing over ₹60,000 crore nationwide.
Highlighting the festival’s importance, CAIT said that while every Indian festival holds significance, Dhanteras is especially auspicious, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. On this day, people traditionally purchase gold, silver, utensils, kitchenware, vehicles, brooms, electronic goods, idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, clay lamps, and other puja materials.
CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said, “The total business on Dhanteras, including gold, silver, and other auspicious items, is estimated to have crossed ₹1 lakh crore across the country.” He added that buying new utensils made of copper, silver, or steel is considered auspicious, representing purity and wealth.
As per Vastu Shastra, purchasing a broom on Dhanteras is believed to drive away poverty and negativity, while in modern times, people also buy gadgets like smartphones, laptops, and tablets—viewed as symbols of progress and prosperity.
Pankaj Arora, National President of CAIT’s jewellery chapter, the All India Jewellers and Goldsmith Federation (AIJGF), said, “The past two days have seen an unprecedented rush in jewellery markets. Preliminary estimates show gold and silver trade exceeding ₹60,000 crore, with Delhi alone recording sales worth over ₹10,000 crore — a 25% rise compared to last year.”
Gold prices have surged from around ₹80,000 per 10 grams last year to over ₹1,30,000 per 10 grams this year — a jump of nearly 60%. Silver has also seen a sharp increase from ₹98,000 per kg in 2024 to ₹1,80,000 per kg, up about 55%. Despite this steep rise, CAIT noted that demand remains robust as consumers view gold and silver as the safest forms of investment. Many buyers, however, opted for lightweight jewellery this season.
According to CAIT, Dhanteras 2025 witnessed record-breaking sales across multiple sectors:
Utensils & Kitchenware/Appliances: ₹15,000 crore
Electronics & Electrical Goods: ₹10,000 crore
Decorative Items, Lamps & Puja Materials: ₹3,000 crore
Dry Fruits, Sweets, Textiles, Vehicles & Miscellaneous Items: ₹12,000 crore
CAIT attributed the strong growth in festive trade to GST rate reductions and the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Swadeshi Aapnao” (Adopt Indigenous Products) campaign, which has encouraged consumers to favor locally made goods.
“This year, buyers are clearly choosing Indian-made products, giving a major boost to small traders, artisans, and domestic manufacturers,” CAIT added.
