Planning to buy gold this Dhanteras? But have you ever wondered why we do that? There’s a really interesting story behind this tradition. The first of these mythological stories begins with the churning of the ocean.
Sagar Manthan, the mega churn
When the gods and demons churned the ocean, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi, emerged from it. Along with her appeared Dhanvantari, regarded in Hindu tradition as the divine physician, holding a pot of nectar in his hands. That’s why Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantari Trayodashi.
Prayers for prosperity, well-being
Therefore, on the occasion of Dhanteras, Hindus worship Goddess Lakshmi and Dhanvantari and buy things that symbolise prosperity, like gold. They also buy things that represent well-being, like household utensils that indicate nourishment.
The legend of King Hima’s son
Now let’s talk about the second legend, of King Hima’s son. It is said that according to the prince’s horoscope, he was destined to die on the fourth day after his marriage due to a snake bite.However, when the prince got married, his wife resolved to save him. She surrounded her husband with heaps of gold and silver and lit numerous lamps all around.The entire palace glowed with light. When Yama, the god of death, came in the form of a snake, his eyes were blinded by the dazzling brightness, and he returned without harming the prince.That’s why many believe that buying gold and lighting lamps, called Yamadeep, on Dhanteras keeps even death away.
Traditions and the modern twists
In modern times, people no longer buy just precious metals or utensils, but also electronics, automobiles, and even property. In fact, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), sales worth a total of ₹60,000 crore were recorded across retail trades throughout the country on Dhanteras in 2024.
CAIT estimated that of the total sales, gold accounted for around ₹20,000 crore, with almost 25 tonnes of gold sold nationwide. Silver sales on the day also topped ₹2,500 crore.
Vehicles, electronics in demand
Other popular items that witnessed substantial sales included electronics and household goods.This year, trader bodies and businesses expect Dhanteras sales to surge well past the 2024 figures. GST rate reductions across segments are being seen as a key driver of sales this year, not only on Dhanteras but throughout the festive season, with a clear impact already evident during Navratri sales.
