Shimla, Oct. 17 -- As the festive season of Dhanteras and Diwali draws near, gold fever has gripped Himachal Pradesh's capital Shimla and other regions of the state. Despite the sharp rise in gold prices, jewellery exhibitions and showrooms are witnessing heavy foot traffic, with people flocking to buy ornaments for both traditional and investment purposes.

In Shimla, the enthusiasm for gold is undiminished, even as prices continue to climb. Gold and silver are reaching unprecedented price levels in India, even as global equities surge. In domestic markets, gold continues to climb ahead of the festive season, with 24-karat gold averaging around Rs.1,25,000-Rs.1,30,000 per 10 grams.

On the international front, gold is trading above $4,00...