Gold prices have shot past the Rs 32,000 per 10-gram mark since the last week of October. However, this could not dominate the spirit of gold buyers on Dhanteras on Monday.

People across the state, including in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, were seen making beelines for the yellow metal although gold prices hovered around Rs 31,800 on Monday against Rs 29,700 per 10 grams last year.

Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi falls on the 13th day of the lunar phase or krishna paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. There is a popular belief that buying gold and silver on this auspicious day brings prosperity.

Several stores have come up with various offers to attract customers on the occasion. Some offered attractive gold investment schemes and 100 per cent discount on making charges. “We are providing a maximum discount of 35 per cent over the making charges for customers. People buy ornaments and gold coins mostly. They also go for silver utensils. The following for this tradition has multiplied rapidly in the last few years,” says Manoj Jena, owner of Pradhan Jewellers.

Shop owners further said that despite the festival falling on a Monday, the sale was quite enthusing. “Last year, Dhanteras fell on a weekend and the price was also low, so the rush was inevitable. But this year, it is surprising to see so many people buying gold despite the situation,” said Archana Agarwal, owner of a jewellery shop at Priyadarshini Market here. Similar rush was witnessed at the jewellery shops and markets at other major towns in the state including Rourkela, Berhampur and Puri.

“Gradually, the yellow metal is getting out of the reach of the common man. Despite this, we have to buy something on Dhanteras as it is a festival of health, wealth and prosperity. So, even a small item to buy is enough,” said Sushanti Mishra, a home-maker.