PUNE: The entire city was abuzz since morning till late night with people flocking to shops to buy vehicles, jewellery, home appliances and many other items. But it was gold jewellery, which dominated the shopping scene as always this Hindu New Year on the auspicious occasion of  ‘Gudhi Padwa’, on Sunday.

The city jewellers had expressed fears that due to Goods and Service Tax and demonetisation, the demand for the yellow metal might might be subdued. However, the shine as always attracted people, who flocked to shops to buy gold. The city jewellers noted that the sales were good and people preferred buying gold jewellery over coins or biscuits.

Triveni Chaikar, Manager, PN Gadgil, Aundh branch, said, “There is a huge rush at the store since morning and people are buying gold, silver items and diamond jewellery. There has been no effect of GST or demonetisation to the sale of gold and other valuable items.”

“People are mostly buying gold jewellery and silver items. There is also demand for raw gold, but it is less compared to jewellery,” she said.

Fatechand Ranka of Ranka Jewelers said, “The doubts whether this season the sale would pick up or not were put to rest as we saw good sales on this auspicious day. There was a huge demand for all kinds of jewellery, silver items and fancy jewellery.”

Manager at BM Ashtekar jewellery said that jewellery buying was more compared to raw gold or gold coins. People preferred gold jewellery rather than buying rings or coins.

The jewellers mentioned that the traditional jewellery was a favourite among Puneites.