Auspicious days for buying gold in India

Following are some of the days considered auspicious for gold purchases in 2013 according to the Hindu calendar in India, which is vying with China to be the world's top consumer of the precious metal.

 The Hindu calendar has regional variations, but the dates below are broadly followed across the country in gold trade for planning inventories.

    April 11

    Gudi Padwa/ Ugadi

    Significance: New Year in Maharashtra and Deccan region

    April 12

    Pushya Nakshatra

    Significance: Launching new ventures

     April 18

    Gurupushyamrit

    Significance: Launching new ventures

     May 13

    Akshaya Tritiya

    Significance: Gold invokes prosperity

     May 16

    Gurupushyamrit

    Significance: Launching new ventures

    June 12

    Pushya Nakshatra

    Significance: Launching new ventures

    July 10

    Pushya Nakshatra

    Significance: Launching new ventures

     July 22

    Guru Poornima

    Significance: Festival

     August 20

    Raksha Bandhan

    Significance: Festival

     September 2

    Pushya Nakshatra

    Significance: Launching new ventures

    October 13

    Dusshera

    Significance: Festival

     October 27

    Pushya Nakshatra

    Significance: Launching new ventures

     November 1

    Dhanteras

    Significance: Gold invokes prosperity

    November 3

    Laxmi Pujan

    Significance: Worshipping goddess of wealth

    November 4

    Diwali

    Significance: Festival of lights

     November 5

    Bhaubij

    Significance: Festival

     November 23

    Pushya Nakshatra

    Significance: Launching new ventures

    December 19

    Gurupushyamrit

    Significance: Launching new ventures

 The biggest gold buying festivals are Akshaya Tritiya and Dhanteras. An inauspicious phase -- Shradh -- a period for paying homage to ancestors, runs from September 20 till October 4.

 The Hindu calendar has regional variations, but the above dates are broadly followed across the country in gold trade for planning inventories.