Malu Sharma
The city of Temple is all geared up to celebrate Raksha Bandhan on Thursday. Sisters dressed in their best will adorn their brothers hand with colourful threads, which represent a sign of their love and togetherness. Sweets and gifts will be distributed among each other and loads of delicious food will be prepared on this day.
Many makeshift shops have been set up in different localities, including Purani Mandi, Old City, Trikuta Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Channi himmat, Greater Kailash etc. Beautiful Rakhis are being displayed at these shops. Different types of rakhis with embroidery work, sandalwood rakhis, and attractive rakhis decorated with rice grains are being sold.
The markets are displaying different varieties of Rakhis for the tiny tots as well. Rakhi’s featuring Superman, Krrish, Bal Hanuman, Chhota Bheem and even Doreamon are major attractions for kids this season.
“While choosing rakhi customers usually go with the colour and design of their preference and girls having a younger brother want to buy a rakhi of their favourite cartoon character,” says Gourav, a shopkeeper in Pacca Danga market. The rates of such rakhis start from `50 to 300.
Battery-operated glowing Rakhi, Rakhis featuring teddy-bear, car, mobile and mouse rakhis are a major pick-up among children this year. Some of the rakhis have been made of resham and zari threads and are decorated with different items like pearls, beads, stones, gems or imitation jewellery material.
“These rakhis are a bit expensive and starts from Rs 200 and goes upto Rs 500. But people with an ethnic choise choose such rakhis as they even look beautiful,” shares another shopkeeper Samar.
“I want to buy the best Rakhi for my younger brother and I am so excited that what gift I would get from him on this Rakha Bandan. This is my favourite festival, ” shared Siya, who was running eagerly at every shop to find the best Rakhi for her brother.