Festival business blooms in Nashik

Nashik has registered a turnover of Rs 100 crore in 20 days - from Dussehra to Diwali. This is a 20 per cent rise as compared with last year's earnings.

The month between Navaratri and Diwali reported forty per cent of the yearly turnover. This year, the turnover in Nashik's market was around Rs 104 crore.

Out of which, Rs 25 crore were in the form of real estate investment, Rs 42.50 crore from sale of vehicles, Rs 12 crore from sale of gold ornaments, Rs 15 crore from readymade garments, Rs 6 crore from firecrackers and the rest was in the form of sale of sweets, electronic items and earthen lampsky lanterns.

As purchase of gold ornaments during Dussehra and Diwali increases, the gold market saw turnover of crores of rupees. According to sources, jewellery shops earned around Rs 12 crore. The sale of gold ornaments in top five jewellery shops in the city was more than Rs 1 crore each between Dussehra and Diwali.

In Nashik city, there are around 25 auto show rooms and equal number of firms selling second hand two-wheelers and cars. Sale of two wheelers and cars in the Nashik market rose 24 per cent as compared with last year's Dussehra-Diwali period.

Enough Diwali bonus to employees of local industries and easy loan availability by financial institutions/ banks were the prime reasons behind this.

According to market sources, about 7,000 bikes worth Rs 24.50 crore and 250 cars worth Rs 10 crore were sold out during Dussehra -Diwali at showrooms of related auto companies. Total sale of vehicles including two-wheelers, cars and tractors was around Rs 42.50 crore, according to market sources.

The real estate business was brisk during the festive season. There are about 200 small and big builders in the city. About 425 residential and commercial properties worth Rs 25 crore were purchased on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra and Diwali, sources said.

Bursting crackers is the main attraction of Diwali and large quantity of firecrackers are sold out during Diwali festival. Total sale of firecrackers in the market was around Rs 6 crore, while sale of earthen lamps (Diya) and sky lanterns (Akash Kandil) was around Rs 35 lakh. During Diwali festival, sweets are in demand. About 20,000 kg sweets worth around Rs. 24 lakh was sold out at sweet shops across the city.

A tremendous rush of Nashikites was seen at the city's garment and cloth shops. According to garment & cloth merchants, total turnover in Nashik's garment and cloth markets was around Rs 15 crore.