Bhubaneswar, Jan. 16 -- As Odisha enters its wedding season, a time of year steeped in cultural opulence and tradition, precious metal markets are experiencing a surge in gold prices, leaving potential buyers and investors anxious.

Gold prices have escalated by approximately Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 within a single week. Today, 22-carat gold is priced at Rs 73,900 for 10 grams, a significant leap from Rs 71,000 five days ago. The market price for 24-carat gold has also surged, now exceeding Rs 80,000.

Experts ascribe this unexpected climb to the instability in global markets, the weakening of the Indian rupee against the US dollar, and an increase in gold investment by those seeking a haven for their assets. The international price of gold ...