With just two days left for the festival of Raksha Bandhan, markets across Delhi and the rest of India are witnessing massive footfall, filled with festive cheer and high energy.
According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), this year, the market is expected to generate a whopping Rs 17,000 crore in trade, while sweets, fruits, gifts, and related items may contribute an additional Rs 4,000 crore.
The markets across Delhi are busy and bustling with people from all walks of life are going to buy the holy thread for the festival. Shopkeepers have displayed hundreds of rakhies with different style and design having different price rang.
One can see rakhi from priced at Rs 10 rupees to whopping thousands of rupees. Some jewelry shops have also come up with rakhi made out of silver and gold for the people who want to celebrate in a particular manner.
This year’s Raksha Bandhan carries a deeper emotional and patriotic significance, as it coincides with the anniversary of the Quit India Movement, and comes shortly after the heroic success of Operation Sindoor by India’s armed forces. As a result, markets are decked with threads of emotion and trays of nationalism, turning into magnets for enthusiastic consumers.
In the backdrop, markets have come alive with vibrant colours, joyful crowds, and a wide variety of rakhis displayed in every shop.
Stalls overflow with beautifully crafted rakhis ranging from traditional threads with beads and rudraksha to modern designs featuring cartoon characters, personalized names, and even eco-friendly options.
Glittering lights and festive decorations add to the excitement, while shopkeepers showcase their latest collections to attract eager buyers. Whether it’s for a little brother, an elder sibling, or even a bhabhi, there’s a rakhi to suit every taste, making the celebration of this special bond even more memorable.
“We have different types of rakhi for everyone. We have items for children to adults. This year the designs are different and moreover, the evil eye design is in trend. Everyone is looking for this design. We have huge demand for this rakhi,” said Munna, a shopkeeper.
Another shopkeeper said, “This year, we have a wide variety of rakhis to suit everyone’s taste and budget. From traditional Mauli rakhis with rudraksha beads to modern designs, we have it all. Designer rakhis with Kundan, pearls, and stones are also in high demand, especially the ones with miniature idols of Ganesha or Krishna. We’ve also stocked up on lumba rakhis for bhabhi and rakhi sets for the whole family. Customers are loving the creativity and uniqueness in the designs this year!”
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk and CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said innovative rakhi designs lead market trends this year.
“This year’s Rakhi market is abuzz with innovative, theme-based rakhis – ranging from ‘Vocal for Local’, ‘Digital Rakhis’ with QR codes, to designs inspired by Operation Sindoor, Modi Rakhi, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Jai Hind, Viksit Bharat, Bharat Mata Ki Jai, and Vande Mataram. These have gained tremendous popularity among buyers,” he added.
Khandelwal added that many of these rakhis are handmade by local women entrepreneurs, self-help groups, and artisans, boosting women empowerment and domestic industries.
He emphasized that Indian consumers now prefer to celebrate festivals with pride and self-respect, actively supporting Make in India products.
Not just in Delhi, the rakhi fever is all over the India, In the diamond city Surat, there is a craze for gold, silver, and diamond Rakhis during Raksha Bandhan.
Expensive Rakhis ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 5,00,000 are available. Customers are buying these Rakhis not only for the festival but also as an investment.
Sisters are choosing these rakhis for their brothers so that they don’t just wear it for rakhi but can wear anytime of the year and can use the rakhi as bracelet.
The festival is celebrated annually by siblings with pomp and show. The day hours the unbreakable and precious bond between brothers and sisters where the sister ties this holy thread on her brother’s wrist and in return, he promises to protect her forever.
