At a special time of year when Indians around the world unite in celebration of Diwali - the festival of lights. To mark the first day of Diwali - on 22 October - Indians celebrate with gifts of gold and jewellery.
What is Dhanteras?
The five-day festival sees soaring sales of gold in what is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. Dhanteras is eagerly awaited by vendors and traders of gold around the world, but what does the festival symbolise?
Tradition will see millions of people around the world mark the occasion with new purchases of sparkling jewellery, gold coins and bars to pass among family and friends. It is not uncommon for bonuses and special gifts to be handed out to employers during the festival of lights. And it is not just gold that features high on the shopping list, as many people will also purchase or gift appliances, homeware or even a new car.
Why gold?
Gold is close to the hearts of Indians. It is considered auspicious in Indian culture, particularly during Diwali and Dhanteras. Gold has become such a passion and embedded into the heritage that in 2021, figures from the World Gold Council showed demand across India for the precious metal reached 797 tonnes. Demand worldwide rose 10 per cent in 2021, climbing to 4,021 tonnes.
Traders have travelled to Dubai's souks for more than a hundred years in search of spices, pearls and gold.
As part of the festival, homes are cleansed and decluttered to restore a sense of calm, and lamps are lit in the home to attract future prosperity.
As a festival of new beginnings and hopes for the future, for those wishing to share greetings at this time of year, try a simple "Happy Dhanteras", or "Shubh Dhanteras", which translates to "Auspicious Dhanteras".
Diwali gold offers in Dubai
This year, Diwali is sure to be an extra special celebration in the UAE. The Emirates is now home to over 2.5 million Indians, and many will be celebrating Diwali in Dubai. It has become a much-loved period of the Dubai events calendar, not just within the Indian diaspora but also among the many residents and tourists who flock to the country at this time of year to make the most of events, entertainment and retail offers designed to sparkle, as well as festive fireworks and lighting across the city.
As a special promotion this Diwali in Dubai, shoppers can take advantage of exceptional deals and offers on purchases with the Dubai Jewellery Group. Buyers can enjoy 50 per cent off selected diamond jewellery collections and up to half-price on select gold jewellery. Purchases of gold, diamond, pearl or precious jewellery of AED 500 at participating outlets will also be entered into an exciting raffle to win shopping vouchers worth AED 5000 each. In total, AED 150,000 worth of jewellery vouchers will be handed out to 30 lucky winners, making the festival of light one of the brightest ever in Dubai. For more information on offers and deals, visit www.dubaicityofgold.com.
This Diwali, Centrepoint is giving shoppers a chance to win gold coins and shopping vouchers when purchasing items for a minimum of AED 200. And at Emax, customers can get a scratch-and-win coupon for a chance to win prizes such as 1 gram of gold coin and much more when spending AED 2000. And when shopping at HomeBox, visitors will get a raffle coupon for a chance to win one of four gold coins, which are 10 grams each worth AED 2000.
Twenty lucky winners will take home 24-carat gold coins worth AED 5000 when shopping at participating malls under the Dubai Shopping Malls Group, including Arabian Center, Al Ghurair Centre, Dubai Outlet Mall, Al Quoz Mall, Central Mall, Times Square Centre, Bay Avenue, Al Khail Gate, Al Bustan Centre.
