With Raksha Bandhan approaching, the lanes of old Ahmedabad, especially Tankshal in Kalupur, have burst into colour and festivity. Stalls and roadside shops are decked with vibrant rakhis — threads of love and tradition — as sisters prepare to choose the perfect one for their brothers.
According to a media report, the bustling Kalupur wholesale market, retailers and street vendors from across Gujarat and even from states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are flocking to stock up on rakhis. Traders estimate that rakhi sales in Ahmedabad alone could cross ₹200 crore this season. Produced at a cost as low as ₹1.50 to ₹2 per piece, these rakhis are injecting fresh energy into the city’s markets despite the monsoon.
With less than a month left for Raksha Bandhan, celebrated on Shravan Purnima, customer footfall is rising sharply. Rakhis ranging from ₹1.50 to ₹150 are being sold in large volumes. “The rakhi season lasts for just a month, but crafting them is a year-round business,” said a Kalupur trader.
In neighbourhoods like Shah Alam, Bapunagar, India Colony, and Ranip, hundreds of women are engaged in year-round rakhi production, handcrafting pieces with pearls, kundan, beads, and stones. The threads are sourced from the Tankshal area, while decorative materials come from Delhi and even China. Cartoon-themed and light-up rakhis for children, largely imported from Delhi and China, continue to be popular.
At Manek Chowk and Delhi Darwaza, only a few stalls have opened so far, with most business currently coming from NRIs and international shipping orders.
“What’s new this year?” is the most common question vendors face. Though most artisans don’t have formal training, their creativity brings fresh designs each season. This year, rakhis themed on Shri Ram and the Ram Mandir have seen growing demand. Pastel-coloured and dual-tone thread rakhis are trending, while resin-art, plantable (seeded), and personalised rakhis are seeing a surge in online sales.