Overview
- Trade bodies project unusually large turnover for Dhanteras 2026, with the Confederation of All India Traders estimating over ₹1 lakh crore in retail business and the All India Jewellers & Goldsmiths Federation forecasting about ₹66,000 crore for gold and silver sales, and both figures are industry projections pending final audited data.
- Quick‑commerce apps including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto and BigBasket are offering same‑day gold and silver coin sales with advertised delivery windows as short as 10–30 minutes in select cities and festival partnerships and discounts to capture last‑minute buyers.
- Higher gold prices are changing buying choices toward lighter 14–18 carat jewellery, silver coins and traditional utensils, and many brick‑and‑mortar jewellers have extended opening hours to handle heavier footfall.
- Delhi saw heavy early‑morning congestion around Anand Vihar and Ghazipur on Friday despite traffic controls put in place by Delhi Traffic Police for 5–15 November, reflecting local strain on transport hubs during the festival rush.
- City‑wise shubh muhurat timings concentrate peak buying into evening windows—the published final muhurat runs from about 5:49 PM to 8:23 PM with local variation—and customary home rituals such as cleaning, lighting lamps and Lakshmi/Kuber puja remain central to purchase timing.