Ram idol engraved on gold coins is talk of town this Akshaya Tritiya

BENGALURU: With Akshaya Tritiya falling on Friday, citizens are flocking to jewellery shops for customary purchase of gold as it is said to bring good fortune. Many jewellers are expecting good sales and selling gold coins with Ram Lalla’s idol engraved on it as a tribute to Ram Mandir.
“We are expecting more sales this year. The sale of jewellery picked up on Wednesday and we expect it to continue till this weekend.We already see pre-booking numbers and advance payments going up,” said Vinod Hayagriv, managing director, C Krishniah Chetty Group.
V Shridhar, MD, Sree Ram Jewels, Vijayanagar, noted a shift in customers’ preferences. “Usually, they shop gold coins during Akshaya Tritiya. But this year, we are seeing them buy gold jewellery. Ninety percent of our customers are inclined towards it, which adds up to total sale of gold in general.”
Eye on platinum, diamond
Many jewellery shops have noticed that customers are also looking for diamond and platinum jewellery.
Urish Chhajed from Nikhaar Jewels, Richmond Road, said, “The amount of diamond jewellery purchases is same as that of gold jewellery this Akshaya Tritiya.”
Millennials prefer platinum over gold as it is cheaper. Ramesh Davanam, CEO, Davanam Jewellers, said, “We see novelty in this metal, unlike before. We have received many pre-bookings for Friday already.”
The consecration of the Ram idol at Ayodhya’s Ram mandir earlier this year has resulted in many jewellers selling gold coins engraved with Ram Lalla’s idol as a tribute this Akshaya Tritiya, Davanam added.