The prevailing festive mood failed to boost gold prices and they softened by Rs 60 at Rs 16,020 per 10 gram in the bullion market in New Delhi on Friday on Diwali eve, as retailers decided to give the precious metal a miss at the existing higher levels.

Marketmen said a rally in gold prices, which climbed to an all-time high of Rs 16,250 on Wednesday, a day before 'Dhanteras', was snapped on falling demand among retailers and jewellers.

They said Diwali and Dhanteras, traditionally considered most important festivals in hindu mythology to make new purchases in gold and silver, failed to boost trading sentiment owing to existing higher levels.

"We normally expect maximum business on Diwali festival but see hardly any customers this season because of higher prices," said All India Sarafa (Bullion) Bazar President Sheel Chand Jain.

He said the market is passing through a tough time following tight money market position in the wake of the biggest global recession ever since World War-II.

Delhi-based bullion merchant Ravi Jalan said: "The yellow metal is losing traditional value nowadays and is more co-related with the forex and moving in opposite direction to the US currency."

Marketmen said trading sentiment also turned weak on softening trend in global markets, which normally set prices in the domestic market.