Women buy utensils for puja on the eve of Dhanteras at New Market and (above) residents check out television panels at a shop on SP Verma Road on Thursday. Pictures by Jai Prakash

Residents are making a beeline for the markets for their Dhanteras shopping while the shop owners are ready with attractive offers to woo clients.

Electronic items and gold jewellery are among the high draws this season. Residents feel Dhanteras is the perfect time to bring home the goodies they do not have already.

Patliputra resident Nisha Kumar said: “I was thinking of buying an LED television. This Dhanteras, I will bring one home.”

To the respite of customers like Nisha, the shops have lined up attractive offers.

Anuj Kumar Singh, general manager, Aditya Vision, an electronics shop, said: “We have organised a buy-and-win contest in which we would give away cars, laptops, microwaves, LCD televisions and 85 other gifts as prizes to lucky winners on Dhanteras.”

The businessmen know this is the time to woo customers.

Mehul Raj, the owner of an electronic goods shop on Jagdeo Path, said “Dhanteras is a big day for us. We wait for it throughout the year. The enthusiasm in the market and the fervour of the shoppers are at a different level on this day.”

The enthusiasm is clear from the festooned shops at Mauryalok, Keshav Palace, Boring Road, Fraser Road and SP Verma Road among others.

Khajpura resident Ratna Sinha said: “I make it a point to buy jewellery on Dhanteras every year. Last time, I bought gold earrings and this year, I have decided to buy a ring.”

Vinay Kumar Roy of Roy Jewellers at Hariniwas Complex said: “We are giving a gold coin on shopping of more than Rs 35,000 and a silver coin for purchases below that.”

“In silver items, coins, Laxmi-Ganesh idols and thrones are selling like hot cakes. In gold, coins, rings and small earrings top the charts,” he added.

Automobile, furniture and cookware also feature among the favoured picks for Dhanteras shopping.

Rajan Verma, the manager of a Vau’s outlet on Dakbungalow Road, said: “This outlet alone has received around 200 advanced bookings so far. It may go up to 250 by Dhanteras.”

As Diwali celebrations are incomplete without earthen lamps and crackers, makeshift stalls have popped up on the streets to cash in on the fervour. Manoj, who has set up a makeshift stall on Bailey Road, said: “I expect a big crowd on Dhanteras because that is when shopping for crackers and diyas take off.”