Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: Despite high prices, jewelery showrooms across the twin cities witnessed a high footfall on Akshaya Tritiya on Monday as customers thronged stores to purchase gold and silver.From early morning, families, young couples and senior citizens were seen visiting jewelery outlets, many opting for small gold coins, lightweight ornaments or silver articles. Jewelers said the rush came as a welcome relief after weeks of lesser demand, with buyers preferring symbolic purchases rather than heavy jewellery.“Prices are on the higher side and fluctuate almost daily due to international developments, but Akshaya Tritiya comes once a year. Even if we buy a small coin, it feels auspicious,” Sasmita Baral, a private sector employee, said.Sasmita, who went to a store in Saheed Nagar with her parents, said that it is more about tradition than an investment alone. “We buy gold on Akshaya Tritiya every year. We did not miss this time too,” she added.Similar sentiments were echoed by Manas Das, a resident of Cuttack. “We decided to buy a silver item this year instead of gold. The belief is that whatever you buy today will bring prosperity, so people adjust their budgets accordingly,” he said.Jewelery retailers said the festive sentiment outweighed concerns over high prices and geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing West Asia conflict, which has contributed to volatility in precious metal rates. “After watching nearly empty showrooms for the past few weeks, Akshaya Tritiya brought the smile back to our faces,” Rakesh Agarwal, owner of a jewelery store on Janpath in Bhubaneswar, said.He added that most customers are cautious but the volume of walk-ins has been very encouraging. “Some people are buying in bulk due to the upcoming wedding season,” Agrawal added.Another jeweler in Cuttack, Pradeep Sarap, said sales were steady throughout the day. “People may not be buying big sets, but the belief attached to Akshaya Tritiya ensures business. Even one gram of gold matters on this day,” he said.
