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It is Akshaya Tritiya, considered an auspicious day by Hindus for starting ventures and buying gold
By Sajila Saseendran, Senior Reporter
Dubai: Tens of thousands of Indian expats are gearing up to make a beeline to the jewellery stores in the UAE this Friday to purchase gold on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.
“Buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya is believed to give us good luck and success. So, every year I buy some ornaments for my wife and daughter,” said Dr Nishanth Nair, a Keralite living in Abu Dhabi.
“I will go by 8am to avoid the rush,” he said.
It is an annual holy day for Hindus and Jains and the day is believed to be good for starting new ventures and bringing in prosperity. Buying gold on this day is considered to bring in wealth and success, mainly among many South Indian communities.
Jewellery groups said several thousands of people have already pre-booked their orders to beat the rush on the day, especially because it falls on a weekend holiday this time. Stores are allowing customers who reserve their gold jewellery items to pay the lower rate — between the day they booked and the day they are purchasing.
If the gold rate on Friday is higher than the prices in the first few weeks, customers who pre-booked their gold are likely to benefit from the offer.
“We opened our pre-booking facility from April 1 although our [sale] offers started only from April 19. We wanted to give enough time for customers to select and book in advance just by paying 10 per cent of the price. They can pay the balance after checking the gold rate on the Akshaya Tritiya day when they come to collect the items,” said Shamlal Ahamed, managing director, International Operations, Malabar Gold and Diamonds.
Yamini Anand from Tamil Nadu, who lives in Al Ghusais, said she went and selected the gold ornaments for her daughter and herself last Friday.
“I have chosen a small bracelet and a diamond earring for me. I have booked a surprise gift for my daughter this time because she is turning 16 on Saturday. I hope that will make her happy.”
Major jewellery groups are vying with each other with lucrative offers and prizes to attract customers. While one group is offering 30kg of gold, another one is offering 30 Audi cars to be won by customers. One group also timed the opening of its new branch in Mina Bazaar just days ahead of Akshaya Tritiya.
© Gulf News 2017
