Dhanteras 2025 Live Updates: PM Modi shares Dhanteras greetings on X; gold, silver prices see sharp correction

Despite high prices, consumer demand for silver outpaced gold on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, with silver coin sales surging 35-40 per cent year-on-year and overall value more than doubling, even as the jewellery body expects a 15 per cent volume drop for gold.

Dhanteras, the most auspicious day in the Hindu calendar for buying precious metals, is being celebrated over two days until 1:45 pm on Sunday. Jewellery stores remain open through midnight and on Sunday.

While gold prices surged 63 per cent to Rs 1,32,000 per 10 grams of 24-carat (inclusive of taxes) in the national capital -- up from Rs 81,400 last Dhanteras on October 29, 2024 -- silver prices gone up by 40 per cent, yet demand held firm.

Delhi Police on Saturday stepped up security across the city for Dhanteras and the upcoming Diwali festival, with focus on safeguarding residents and ensuring smooth movement in the crowded areas and commercial hubs of the capital.

According to a statement, multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place at the key markets, crowded spaces, and high-footfall commercial areas.

Adequate deployment of police personnel and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been made across all the districts of the national capital, the statement said.

Delhi Traffic Police has also ramped up deployment to manage heavy vehicular movement, ensure pedestrian safety, and facilitate public convenience.

Gold prices retreated from record levels and dropped by Rs 2,400 to Rs 1,32,400 per 10 grams in the national capital on Saturday, even as buyers flocked to jewellery stores across the country on Dhanteras, marking the start of the Diwali festival.

According to the All India Sarafa Association, the precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity had surged by Rs 3,200 to touch an all-time high of Rs 1,34,800 per 10 grams on Friday.

In the local bullion market, gold of 99.5 per cent purity also saw a sharp pullback, depreciating by Rs 2,400 to Rs 1,31,800 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes). It had touched a lifetime high of Rs 1,34,200 per 10 grams in the previous session. Prices of gold of 24 karat have risen Rs 51,000 per 10 grams, or 62.65 per cent, compared to Rs 81,400 per 10 grams recorded on Dhanteras last year, which was celebrated on October 29, 2024.

Shoppers flock to Ghumar Mandi in Ludhiana on Dhanteras.

Utensils and traditional items are in high demand.

Festive cheer fills the markets ahead of Diwali.

Photo credit: Gurmeet Singh

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal participated in a Diwali get-together organised by the party's women's wing at its headquarters on Saturday.

In a post on social media platform X, Kejriwal shared that he met with mothers and sisters at the event and extended heartfelt wishes for Diwali and the upcoming festivals, praying for happiness, peace, tranquillity, and prosperity for all families.

"I participated in the Diwali get-together program of the women's wing organised at the party office and met all the mothers and sisters. Heartfelt wishes to all for Diwali and the upcoming festivals. May your life be filled with happiness, and may there always be peace, tranquillity, and prosperity in your family," he posted on X.

Ujjain's world-famous Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple witnessed a grand Dhanteras celebration on Saturday, with the traditional Mahapuja for the welfare and prosperity of all.

The rituals were performed by members of the Mahakaleshwar Temple Priest Committee according to age-old traditions.

The special rituals began early in the morning, with priests performing Rudrabhishek and lighting earthen lamps before Lord Mahakal.

Senior officials, including Ujjain Divisional Commissioner Asheesh Singh, Collector Roshan Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma, and Temple Administrator Pratham Kaushik, also participated in the rituals and offered prayers to Lord Mahakal.

Once a domain of velvet-lined trays and neighbourhood jewellers, jewellery shopping in India is undergoing a glittering transformation. What was long anchored in trust, tradition, and touch is now increasingly just a click away.

India's deep-rooted love affair with gold and diamonds is entering a bold new chapter - online.

According to a recent FICCI-Deloitte report, 73 per cent of consumers now begin their product discovery journey online - even for tactile categories like jewellery - while 53 per cent still lean on offline stores to seal the deal. But the tides are shifting fast.

The Indian jewellery market, pegged at USD 91 billion in 2025, is expected to reach USD 146 billion by 2030. And e-commerce platforms are set to claim a growing slice of that pie.