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| Dhanteras - pleasing goddess of wealth | | | Munish Gupta
Jammu | Nov 7
If the crowd of people, specially women, that thronged shops dealing with silver, gold and kitchen articles today is any indication, then everybody is trying hard to please the goddess of wealth — Lakshmi on Dhanteras.
Dhanteras' shopping is now no longer confined to buying only utensils or household items but also encompassing things like jewellery, electronic gadgets and automobiles.
As Diwali approaches, markets are swarming with buyers splurging on anything under the sun in preparation for the festivities.
However, over the years traditional markets selling utensils and clothes, swanky malls vending cars, two-wheelers, ornaments and modern gadgets including TVs, refrigerator and cell phones, have changed the idea of shoppers and their shopping patter
On Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity and well-being. The festival holds more significance for the business community. To mark the auspicious day, houses and business premises have been renovated and decorated in the city.
People are making their entrances colourful with lovely traditional motifs of rangoli designs to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Sonia Gupta a homemaker and wife of a businessman, who celebrates the festival with religious fervour, said they started their Diwali puja on Dhanteras. “To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the house. Lamps and lights are kept burning all through the night to welcome Goddess Lakshmi”, she said.
Payal another homemaker, said she considered it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils on Dhanteras. “It is believed that new dhan or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck”, she added.
Catering to the demand of the residents, almost all shopkeepers had set up stalls in front of their showrooms. Under the tents, on folding beds covered with white sheets, they were selling everything you could ever dream of buying. They shouted and screamed as they offered the items to shoppers after quoting high prices, but reduced the amount by as much as half after bargaining.
In Moti Bazar the revelers rushed into shops selling household items and kitchenware, besides crockery and decoration pieces of cut-glass, including flower vases.
Shopkeepers selling utensils, silver or gold articles have employed more salesmen to cater to their customers today. One of the salesmen on Moti Bazar said they were given instructions by their employers not to talk much with co-workers. “They are right because there has been a huge rush since morning and we do not want that any customer goes empty-handed”, he said. |
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