Jamshedpur: When it comes to Raksha Bandhan celebrations the people of Jamshedpur outshines others. The festival of sacred bond between brother and sister- is all set to be celebrated with fun and enthusiasm in the city. The market too is flooded with rakhis and other gift items for the occasion.
Under the banner of Marwari Mahila Mancha Rakhi Mela was inaugurated today at AgsenBhawanSakchi by deputy development commissioner (DDC) East Singhbhum, B. Maheshwari. The fair will conclude on July 24.
More than 50 stalls were put at the event with had an array of items on display. Starting from rakhi to cosmetics, jewellery, sarees, dress materials, gift items and home decoration items were there for the people to choose and gift their loved ones.
“Raksha 
Bandhan strengthens the bond and firms the loving fraternal relationship between brother and sister. On this festive occasion the sisters tie a Rakhi thread on the brother’s wrist, perform ‘aarti’ and pray for the well being of their brothers. We believe that this thread, signifying a sister’s love for her brother, is stronger than iron chains,” said Bina Khirwal.
“The Internet rakhi can never be substitute for the real one. We have had many customers buying rakhis for their brothers settled in different cities. The postal departments new waterproof envelopes too have encouraged many people to send their rakhi by snail mail, said a seller at Sakchi.
From up market shops to wholesale dealers of rakhis, traders across the city said that the sale this year is quite impressive.
Traders at Jugsalai, said to be one of the biggest markets selling rakhis in the city, said that they are confident of a 15 per cent rise in their revenue compared to last year.
Assuming the average cost of each rakhi as Rs 20, the city’s wholesale market would have sold a whopping 75 lakh rakhis.
Fuelling the rakhi sales are new designs with a contemporary look which were a big hit among children. Dealers said that apart from the traditional thread and zarirakhis, fancy rakhis studded with stones and various materials including gold and silver apart from cartoon rakhis for children are selling like hotcakes.
Nagender Singh of Jugsalai said that designer rakhis had caught the buyers fancy and people were splurging Rs 200-300 per rakhi. Like clothes, hundreds of varieties of rakhis at these markets are sourced not just from the city but from Kolkata,Delhi,Mumbai and Jaipur.