Nalanda’s markets have become increasingly busy as Raksha Bandhan approaches, with shops displaying a wide range of colourful and decorative rakhis. Alongside traditional designs, retailers are offering rakhis featuring religious figures, bracelets, flowers, beads, stones and cartoon characters.
Women and young shoppers are visiting markets to select rakhis according to their brothers’ preferences. Traditional thread rakhis remain available, while bracelet-style designs are also attracting buyers.
Rakhis featuring Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna and other religious symbols are in demand. These designs use colourful threads along with beads, stones and other decorative materials.
Bracelet-style rakhis are also popular among young buyers. They feature beads, pearls, small metal designs and decorative materials and can be worn like bracelets after being tied around the wrist.
Markets are also offering rakhis designed for children, including cartoon characters, colourful beads and small toy-like designs. Parents are selecting rakhis based on their children’s preferred cartoons and colours.
Flower-designed rakhis are another prominent option in Nalanda markets. Some use fabric or foam flowers, while others create floral patterns with beads and stones.
According to shopkeepers, rakhi prices have increased by around 10 percent compared with last year. The rise has been attributed to higher prices of thread, beads, stones, packaging and other decorative materials.
Prices vary according to design and materials. Simple rakhis are available at lower prices, while designer and bracelet-style rakhis cost more depending on their design and materials.
Along with rakhis, customers are purchasing puja items, sweets and gifts for brothers. Sweet shops are preparing different varieties of sweets and gift packs for Raksha Bandhan, while families are also planning special gifts for siblings.
Crowds in the markets have started increasing as the festival approaches. Rakhi shops are seeing more customers in the evening than in the morning, with people involved in jobs and businesses visiting after work. Shopkeepers expect sales to increase further one or two days before the festival.
Retailers have arranged rakhis according to different designs and prices to make selection easier. Some shops are offering separate designs for children, young people and older customers at the same location.
The increase in festival shopping is not limited to rakhis. Sisters are buying sweets and gifts along with rakhis for their brothers, while brothers are preparing to purchase clothes, cosmetics, jewellery, gift items and other products for their sisters.
People from rural areas are also visiting major markets in Nalanda to shop for the festival. Families are purchasing rakhis, sweets and puja items together, while preparations for siblings living away from home are also contributing to the shopping activity
Shopkeepers said customer preferences have changed compared with earlier years. While traditional rakhis were previously preferred by most customers, young buyers are now paying greater attention to design and appearance. Demand for bracelet rakhis, stone-work designs, pearl rakhis and special designs reflects this change, although traditional red, yellow and kalawa rakhis continue to have their own place in the market.
The growing activity in Nalanda’s markets has also increased expectations among traders. Rakhi sellers expect sales to peak in the final days before the festival, and several shopkeepers have ordered additional designs to provide sufficient choices for last-minute buyers.
Raksha Bandhan preparations in Nalanda are not limited to the markets. Families have also begun preparing at home, with sisters selecting rakhis for their brothers and households planning purchases of sweets and puja items. Preparations for the arrival and travel of siblings living away from home have also started.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival associated with love, affection and trust between brothers and sisters. On the occasion, sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers’ wrists and wish for their long life and prosperity, while brothers pledge to protect and support their sisters in every situation.
The colourful rakhis displayed in Nalanda’s markets reflect the growing festival activity. With designs ranging from religious figures and flowers to beads, stones and bracelets, customers have a wide range of options, while prices have risen by around 10 percent. Despite the increase, shopping activity remains b, and shopkeepers expect purchases to increase further until Raksha Bandhan.
