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Dhanteras fails to draw shoppers in Chennai
Chennai:
'Dhanteras, an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar,
witnessed a low turnout of people in Chennai. On this
day Hindus visit markets to buy utensils and other
metals. Many people said the low enthusiasm could
be because of inflation and global financial crisis,
which is affecting India as well. According to the
rituals, on this day, which falls a few days before
Diwali (falling on October 28), people buy precious
metals like gold, silver coins and utensils as it
is believed that purchasing metal on this day brings
in good fortune and wealth. But the global economic
meltdown has affected business adversely as many buyers
have incurred heavy losses in the stock market and
the rest are bearing the brunt of inflation. In Chennai,
the shops wore a weary look as few people went for
shopping. "We are offering unique things like clothes
made out of gold, be it shirts, skirts. Not only yellow
gold you will also find pink gold and white gold,
which being true colours of alloy will not fade off.
They are very stylish," said Anjali, proprietor, Belamore
Gold Business, Chennai. The shoppers even said that
the sky rocketing prices have burned a hole in their
pockets because of which shopping is sluggish. "Due
to the high prices of commodities the crowd is less,"
said Anand, a shopper in Chennai. Even in Mumbai the
shopkeepers complained of losses because of inflation.
Though the market bore a colourful look with colourful
lampshades, earthen lamps, pots and idols on display
the zing was missing amidst the shoppers. Dhanteras
festival, also known as "Dhantrayodashi" or "Dhanwantari
Triodasi", falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar
day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashwin
(October or November). "Dhan" stands for wealth. On
Dhanteras, the "Owl" form of the Goddess Laxmi is
worshiped to provide prosperity and well-being. Dhanteras
holds special significance for the business community
due to customary purchases of precious metals on this
day. However, it was a disappointment for most of
the shopkeepers this year.
-Oct 26,
2008
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