Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Rakhi Sellers Embrace Functional Designs While Traditional Threads Remain Popular
Rakhis are special threads tied during the Raksha Bandhan festival.
Some sellers are now making rakhis that can be used after the festival ends.
A rakhi might become a keychain, hair clip, whistle, bracelet or another useful item.
Some even have superhero designs for children and Marvel fans.
Other sellers are making rakhis from wristbands, lip glosses and nail-art sets.
These newer rakhis usually cost more than simple traditional ones.
Many older people still prefer mauli rakhis made from red and yellow threads.
The exhibition showed that both new and traditional rakhis remain popular.
Rakhi sellers at a Salt Lake exhibition reported growing demand for reusable, functional designs.
Crochet superhero rakhis were designed to become keychains after Raksha Bandhan.
Other products doubled as whistles, erasers, hair clips, bracelets, mosquito-repellent bands and cosmetics.
Prices ranged from Rs 10 for traditional rakhis to about Rs 350 for specialty designs.
Sellers said traditional red-and-yellow mauli rakhis still outsell fashionable versions, especially among older buyers.
- Who
- Rakhi sellers, shoppers and organizers of the Salt Lake Mahila Mandal exhibition, along with guests Amitabh Dassani and Richa Sharma.
- What
- Sellers showcased functional rakhis designed to be reused, alongside traditional rakhis.
- When
- At a lifestyle exhibition held recently ahead of Raksha Bandhan on August 28.
- Where
- Shree Utsav at Aayojan Banquet Hall in DD Block, opposite City Centre.
- Why
- Sellers said reusable designs prevent rakhis from being discarded after one day, while the exhibition also helped customers and vendors before the festive season.
Functional Rakhi Designs
Traditional Rakhi Designs
Use after the festival
Functional Rakhi Designs
Sellers said rakhis should remain useful after Raksha Bandhan by becoming keychains, bracelets, hair clips or other products.
Traditional Rakhi Designs
Traditional sellers emphasized the cultural and sentimental value of simple mauli rakhis, especially for older generations.
Buyer preferences
Functional Rakhi Designs
Innovative designs were described as increasingly popular among younger buyers and children.
Traditional Rakhi Designs
Traditional red-and-yellow mauli rakhis were still expected to outsell fancy versions by a wide margin.
Design influences
Functional Rakhi Designs
Some stalls used superheroes, cartoon characters and repurposed commercial products to attract buyers.
Traditional Rakhi Designs
A mandala-art seller argued that Indian festival rakhis should retain an Indian artistic identity.
- Exhibition
- Shree Utsav was organized by Salt Lake Mahila Mandal.
- Venue
- Aayojan Banquet Hall, opposite City Centre in DD Block.
- Festival date
- The exhibition was held ahead of Raksha Bandhan on August 28.
- Price range
- Featured rakhis cost between Rs 10 and Rs 350, with some leather-band designs priced around Rs 200.
- Functional examples
- Designs included keychains, whistles, erasers, hair clips, bracelets, toy items and mosquito-repellent bands.
- Traditional demand
- One seller estimated that Rs 10-15 mauli rakhis would outsell fancy rakhis three to one.