Dhanteras will be observed on Friday, November 6, with the puja window falling after sunset and jewellers expecting value-led sales even as volumes stay flat.
The Trayodashi tithi begins at 10:30 am on November 6 and ends at 10:47 am on November 7, according to Drik Panchang. The puja is performed in the Pradosh Kaal, and the window differs from city to city because it is calculated from local sunrise and sunset.
By Drik Panchang's reckoning, the muhurat runs from 6:02 pm to 7:57 pm in New Delhi, 6:15 pm to 8:13 pm in Hyderabad, 6:25 pm to 8:20 pm in Bengaluru, 6:35 pm to 8:35 pm in Mumbai, 6:14 pm to 8:10 pm in Chennai and 5:28 pm to 7:26 pm in Kolkata.
Dhanteras opens the five-day Diwali cycle: Naraka Chaturdashi falls on November 7, Diwali on November 8, Govardhan Puja on November 9 and Bhai Dooj on November 10.
Gold's recent correction has brought buyers back. Spot gold in Mumbai was quoted around Rs 1.37 lakh per 10 g, down from an all-time high of Rs 1.80 lakh on January 29, according to trade reports. The All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council expects value sales to rise 20-30 per cent year on year, with volumes flat.
"We are expecting flat growth in terms of volume compared to last year. In value terms, sales are likely to grow by 20-30 per cent," council chairman Rajesh Rokde told PTI.
Council vice chairman Avinash Gupta put value growth at 15-20 per cent and flagged a possible 10 per cent dip in volume, pointing to a shift toward lightweight studded jewellery in the 9K-19K range. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association's national secretary, Surendra Mehta, expects volumes to rise 10-12 per cent.
Jewellers also expect the festival falling early in the month, when salaries have been credited, to support spending.
(With inputs from PTI and media reports)