Bhubaneswar, Oct. 26 -- Even as sale of gold and silver dipped in the country amidst economic slowdown, a record consumer footfall was registered in Odisha on the occasion of Dhanteras this year.

The sales increased by 20 percent in the state. The gold worth around Rs 170 crore was estimated to have been sold on pre-Diwali Dhanteras yesterday, as against gold worth Rs 140 crore on this auspicious day last year.

Almost all the jewelry showrooms across the state were packed with consumers spending lakhs of rupees on purchasing gold and silver ornaments and coins on Friday evening.

According to reports, the gold jewelries especially chains, earrings and finger rings were most sold items on the special occasion , two days before Diwali. Th...