RESHMI YADAV, OP
Bhubaneswar: With Raksha Bandhan around the corner, City markets are alive with colour and creativity. From traditional threads to modern, eco-friendly designs, rakhi sellers are catering to diverse customer preferences this festive season. “We’ve been in this business for 20 years and set up stalls every Rakhi season at Rasulgarh,” said Sushant Kumar Rout, owner of Ganesh Season Centre. “Compared to last year, business is almost the same. Customers now have too many options, both online and offline. Every corner seems to have a rakhi stall,” he added.
His shop offers a wide variety, from simple to ornate: fancy rakhis, stone rakhis, fancy dori, Lumba, and pair Jari Booti rakhis, and colourful kids’ rakhis, priced between Rs 2 and Rs 400. “The Rs 50 rakhi is our bestseller—simple, beautiful, and affordable for every budget,” Rout added. At Saheed Nagar, Rakhiseller Gudu Rout shared similar views. “There are many varieties—especially cartoon-themed rakhis, with Spiderman being the most popular this year. We also offer devotional rakhis featuring Lord Jagannath, Radha-Krishna, and Sai Baba. The latest trend is the modern evil-eye rakhi, which is in high demand,” he said.
While many are attracted to colourful designs and novelty themes, others are choosing sustainable options. Gyanaranjan Das, Coordinator of Youth for Seva, Bhubaneswar Chapter, emphasised the importance of conscious celebration. “These days, rakhis are available everywhere, but choosing mindfully can benefit the environment. We create eco-friendly rakhis embedded with plantable seeds. This year, with the help of 28 volunteers, we made 109 seed rakhis and tied them on CRPF jawans to honour their service,” he said.
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For some buyers, sentiment matters more than style. “I usually choose shiny stone rakhis because they look beautiful,” said Soubhagya Priya Nayak, a city resident. “But this year, I bought a silver rakhi. It’s simple and elegant—something my brother can keep as a keepsake rather than discarding after the festival.” With tradition blending with trends and sustainability joining the conversation, Raksha Bandhan 2025 is about more than just tying a thread—it’s about making it meaningful.
