Kathmandu — With Tihar approaching, a large number of people have gathered at the Nepal Rastra Bank’s Taksar Division in Babarmahal to purchase silver coins for Dhanteras.
Nepal Rastra Bank has started selling 10-gram silver medallions featuring images of Goddess Laxmi, Gajalaxmi and Lord Ganesh for the Tihar festival. The central bank is also selling 2.5-gram gold asarfis this year after not offering gold coins for the past two years.
The sale is being conducted at the Taksar Division for two days, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Buyers are required to appear in person with identification documents, while payment can be made through cash or QR.
An individual can purchase one gold asarfi and up to three 10-gram silver medallions, according to the latest information from Nepal Rastra Bank. Prices are determined based on prevailing gold and silver market rates, along with applicable production costs.
The rush is linked to the longstanding tradition of purchasing gold and silver during Dhanteras, which is considered an auspicious occasion for bringing precious metals and other valuable items into the home. Many families also use the coins during Laxmi Puja as part of their Tihar celebrations.
The demand comes amid elevated precious-metal prices. On November 5, gold was priced at Rs. 288,900 per tola, while silver stood at Rs. 3,920 per tola, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association.
The long queues at the Taksar Division reflect the continued popularity of official gold and silver coins during Tihar, combining traditional festival practices with the custom of purchasing precious metals during Dhanteras.
