subject: Gold Jewellery: Integral part of Indian lifestyle [print this page] Gold Jewellery: Integral part of Indian lifestyle
India is the biggest consumer of gold accounting for 18% of the total gold produced in the world. From past many centuries, the yellow metal Gold holds strong religious significance in the Indian culture. It is believed that the Indian goddess of wealth Lakshmi originated from a cosmic egg of gold and keeping gold jewellery in family will bring good luck, prosperity and happiness. Some people believe buying gold auspicious before starting any new business venture and gift gold coins to their loved ones.
Gold is a sign of purity, prosperity and high social status. The metal holds huge importance in Indian marriages too. Indian families give large amount of gold jewellery to their daughters at the time of wedding which involves buying a substantial amount of gold jewellery at the time of wedding. According to another popular Indian religious presumption, an Indian bride dolled up in 24 karat gold is considered regarded as holy as goddess laxmi. It is wished that her entry in the new household will bring good luck and prosperity for bridegroom and his family.
Indian women both in rural as well as urban areas are passionate about buying gold. The amount of gold jewellery worn by a lady corresponds to the wealth of her family in rural areas. On one hand where women in rural India enjoy wearing traditional gold jewellery, urban working women prefer lighter, elegant yet classy gold jewellery designs.
There are few special days too in the Hindu calendar such as Dusshera and Dhanteras that encourage Hindu religious followers to the purchase gold ornaments and coins. Gold jewellery is also considered a great gift item at the time of marriages, birthdays and other religious ceremonies. People also prefer buying gold because of its high resale value.
Indian gold jewellery is famous all over the world because of its beautiful designs. According a recent study the demand of gold in Indian has increased at an average rate of 13 percent per annum. Recently gold has crossed the mark of Rs. 20,000 but people are buying large amount of gold jewelry as the festive season is around the corner. Thus, Gold is clearly visible in the lives of Indian people. The tradition of buying gold jewellery is old but is still continuing.
