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**Diwali Sweet Treats to Get Pricier as Silver Prices Soar**

**Varanasi:** Diwali celebrations might come with a slightly bitter taste this year as rising silver prices are expected to drive up the cost of sweets. Silver leaf (vark), the delicate edible foil used to decorate and enhance the value of traditional Indian sweets, has seen a significant price surge, impacting sweet manufacturers’ production costs.

“The silver vark that was available for ₹350 a few months ago has increased by ₹300 due to the rise in the price of silver,” says Sharad Srivastava of Sharad Caterers. This increase will inevitably be passed on to consumers, making their favorite festive treats more expensive.

Traders are reportedly revising their pricing strategies to ensure that sweets are available to customers at reasonable prices during the festive season. Sweets that heavily use silver vark, such as Kaju Katli and Pista Roll, are likely to see the most significant price increases.

The use of silver vark in Indian sweets is a long-standing tradition, not only for aesthetic appeal but also for its perceived anti-bacterial properties, which help to extend the shelf life of sweets. While historically, concerns existed regarding the use of animal products in the vark-making process, modern methods now often employ German butter paper or specialized black paper. Machine-made options are also available for religious uses, catering to the increasing demand for purity and quality.

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