Dhanteras 2026 gold buying race: 10 cities in India where yellow metal is a religion – Is your city on the list?
Gold buying is deeply woven into India's festive traditions, particularly during Dhanteras and Diwali, when households purchase jewellery, coins, and other precious-metal items as symbols of prosperity and good fortune.
From Chennai and Kochi in the south to Kolkata in the east and Jaipur in the north, several cities have established gold markets and strong jewellery-buying cultures. However, this year’s Dhanteras buying comes amid volatile gold prices. On 6 November, gold is currently priced at ₹1,42,390 per 10 grams, down ₹2,070, or 1.43%, as of 10:50 am, according to Bullions.co.in.
In its November 2026 report, the World Gold Council (WGC) mentioned that domestic gold prices were around 45% higher year-on-year in the third quarter (July-September 2026). This weighed on jewellery demand, which fell 20% year-on-year to 100 tonnes, its weakest third-quarter level since 2020.
According to search data from local search platform Justdial, reported by 7Globe, searches for gold jewellery increased 46% in India between November 2025 and October 2026 compared with the corresponding period a year earlier. Here are 10 Indian cities with established gold-buying traditions and jewellery markets.
Chennai's T. Nagar and NSC Bose Road are prominent jewellery shopping destinations. Traditional 22-carat jewellery, temple designs, and wedding purchases contribute to the city's gold-buying culture. Gold jewellery searches increased 36% during the November 2025 and October 2026 period tracked by Justdial.
Laad Bazaar, Begum Bazaar and Basheerbagh are among Hyderabad's established jewellery markets. Traditional ornaments and wedding jewellery remain important purchases. Gold jewellery searches increased by 54%.
Broadway and MG Road are important shopping destinations in Kochi. Gold holds a prominent place in Kerala's wedding and household traditions, with jewellery purchases forming an important part of festive shopping.
Commercial Street and Chickpet are established jewellery shopping areas. Justdial recorded a 62% increase in searches for gold coin dealers in Bengaluru, indicating rising interest in investment-oriented gold purchases.
Bowbazar and Burrabazar are among Kolkata's established jewellery and trading markets. The city recorded the highest growth in gold jewellery searches among the cities tracked, at 67%.
Zaveri Bazaar and Bhuleshwar are major jewellery trading hubs. Gold jewellery searches in Mumbai increased 33% year-on-year.
Manek Chowk is one of Ahmedabad's prominent traditional jewellery and bullion markets. Searches for auspicious Dhanteras-related items increased 42%.
Dariba Kalan and Chandni Chowk are among the capital's established jewellery markets. Gold jewellery searches increased 62%, while searches for gold coin dealers rose 37%.
Johari Bazaar is known for Kundan, Polki and Meenakari jewellery. Searches for auspicious Dhanteras-related items increased by 44%.
Oppanakara Street and Raja Street are prominent jewellery shopping areas. Gold jewellery searches increased 25% year-on-year.
Sheetal Goel is a Content Producer at Livemint, where she covers corporate developments, personal finance, business trends, markets, and SEBI-related updates. She focuses on simplifying complex financial concepts and presenting them in a clear, reader-friendly manner, thereby helping audiences better understand investment trends, personal finance, and market developments. Her writing focuses on making finance more accessible to everyday readers while maintaining clarity, accuracy, and relevance. <br><br> She holds a degree in Economics (Hons.) along with an MBA in Finance, which has helped her develop a strong foundation in financial analysis, market understanding, and business reporting. Before joining journalism, she worked with finance and broking firms, where she closely followed market developments, investment strategies, and evolving industry trends. This practical exposure strengthened her understanding of financial markets. She has also written content across multiple formats and platforms, including YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. <br><br> Over time, she has developed expertise in covering market-linked stories, investor-focused topics, and regulatory updates in a simplified yet informative style. She also enjoys reading and listening to Hindi poetry, reflecting her appreciation for literature and creative expression beyond the world of markets and numbers.
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