OCTOBER 21, 2011 By Girish Kumar Dubey
Ahead of the Dhanteras, observed just a day prior to Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights, silver in the form of coins and also shaped like currency notes lure buyers in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
Such a scenario was observed in the temple city of Varanasi on Friday (October 21).
Dhanteras is also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanvantari Triodasi, regarded to be an auspicious occasion and people rush to shops of jewellers to buy gold, silver and precious jewellery to herald prosperity.
Jewellers also lure customers with attractive offers during this festive season.
Silver coins are worshipped as an auspicious symbol during Deepavali and these are kept on a plate before idols of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.
The Silver market offers customers a wide range of coins weighing from 10 to 100 grams.
"In Ganesha-Lakshmi Puja, silver coin is of great significance. We are here to purchase silver. Right now, there are 20, 50 and 100 grams of silver coins in the market which are more appealing," said Sandeep, a customer at a jewellers shop, Varanasi.
On their part, the footfalls at various jewellery outlets have touched a new high, particularly at those shops where silver shaped like currency notes are sold.
"New silver 'notes' in the market are attracting many customers," said Triloki Nath, a jeweller, Varanasi.
A local trader mentioned about the fluctuation in the bullion prices and noted that currently, silver has surged to a record high touching the mark of rupees 55,000 ($1099) for 10 grams.
"The rate of silver keeps on fluctuating. The rate is never fixed. The price is the sum total of whatever is the current rate plus the design and making charges. Right now, the current rate is 55,000 rupees which is costing us around rupees 600 for 10 grams," added Triloki Nath.
Traditionally, Indians buy gold and silver jewellery, which is a common entity of gift during religious events and also marriages.
Nonetheless, buyers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of holding silver in other forms like coins and currency notes.
This year the Dhanteras falls on (October 25) on the eve of Deepavali.
Ahead of the Dhanteras, observed on the eve of Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights, silver currencies in the form of coins and shaped like notes lure buyers in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (OCTOBER 21, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
1. A SHOPKEEPER SHOWING CURRENCY NOTES SHAPED SILVER TO A CUSTOMER
2. A CUSTOMER HOLDING 50 GRAMS OF SILVER, SHAPED LIKE A CURRENCY NOTE
3. CURRENCY NOTES SHAPED SILVER ON DISPLAY
4. 50 GRAMS OF SILVER, DESIGNED LIKE CURRENCY NOTES ON DISPLAY
5. A CUSTOMER HOLDING SILVER IN THE FORM OF A CURRENCY NOTE
6. A SHOPKEEPER SHOWING CURRENCY NOTES SHAPED SILVER TO A CUSTOMER
7. A MAN HOLDING SILVER COINS IN HIS HAND
8. A WOMAN IN A SHOP
9. SILVER COINS ON DISPLAY
10. CURRENCY NOTES SHAPED SILVER ON DISPLAY
11.A SILVER COIN OF 10 GRAMS ON DISPLAY
12. A SILVER COIN READING EMPRESS VICTORIA
13. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) SANDEEP, A BUYER, SAYING:
"In Ganesha-Lakshmi Puja, silver coin is of great significance. We are here to purchase silver. Right now, there are 20, 50 and 100 grams of silver coins in the market which are more appealing."
14. CURRENCY NOTES SHAPED SILVER ON DISPLAY
15. 50 GRAMS OF SILVER, DESIGNED LIKE CURRENCY NOTE
16. 100 GRAMS OF SILVER, DESIGNED LIKE CURRENCY NOTE
17. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) TRILOKI NATH, A JEWELLER AND TRADER IN SILVERWARE, VARANASI, SAYING:
"New silver 'notes' in the market are attracting many customers."
18. 20 GRAMS OF SILVER, DESIGNED LIKE CURRENCY NOTE ON DISPLAY
19. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) TRILOKI NATH, A JEWELLER AND TRADER IN SILVERWARE, VARANASI, SAYING:
"The rate of silver keeps on fluctuating. The rate is never fixed. The price is the sum total of whatever is the current rate plus the design and making charges. Right now, the current rate is 55,000 rupees which is costing us around rupees 600 for 10 grams."
20. A MAN HOLDING SILVER IN THE FORM OF A CURRENCY NOTE
21. A JEWELLER ARRANGING CURRENCY NOTES SHAPED SILVER ON A TABLE
22. A MAN HOLDING SILVER IN THE FORM OF A CURRENCY NOTE
23. A SHOPKEEPER SHOWING CURRENCY NOTES SHAPED SILVER TO CUSTOMERS
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