1 week ago
Swadeshi Rakhis Boost India’s Festive Trade Ahead of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is a festival when brothers and sisters exchange rakhis.
This year, many rakhis are made in India instead of being imported.
Some rakhis show messages about national development, women’s empowerment and national pride.
Women’s groups and local artisans are making these rakhis by hand.
A rakhi costs about Rs 3 to Rs 4 to make and can sell for Rs 10 or more in shops.
Different parts of India are contributing special designs, such as khadi, bamboo, jute and Madhubani rakhis.
Traders expect people across India to spend nearly Rs 25,000 crore on rakhis.
Including other festival goods, total business could exceed Rs 30,000 crore.
India’s rakhi trade is expected to reach nearly Rs 25,000 crore, according to CAIT estimates.
The broader festive trade, including gifts, sweets, apparel, electronics and dry fruits, could exceed Rs 30,000 crore.
Rakhis featuring Viksit Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Nari Vandan, BrahMos and other themes are attracting buyers.
Women entrepreneurs and artisans are producing handmade rakhis for markets in Delhi and neighbouring states.
Traders say locally made rakhis have largely replaced Chinese products, while regional crafts are gaining popularity.
- Who
- The Confederation of All India Traders, Delhi traders, women entrepreneurs, self-help groups and local artisans are involved in the rakhi trade.
- What
- The market is shifting toward handmade, locally produced and theme-based rakhis, with rakhi trade estimated at nearly Rs 25,000 crore.
- Where
- The trend is visible across India, particularly in Delhi markets including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar and Rajouri Garden.
- When
- The coverage was published on August 25 ahead of Raksha Bandhan on August 28; one supplied headline identifies the festival as Raksha Bandhan 2026.
- Why
- Traders attribute the shift to rising preference for swadeshi products and changing consumer sentiment, while artisans participate to earn additional household income.
Key facts
- Estimated rakhi trade
- Nearly Rs 25,000 crore across India
- Estimated wider festive trade
- More than Rs 30,000 crore, including sweets, gifts, apparel, electronics and dry fruits
- Estimated Delhi trade
- Around Rs 4,000 crore
- Rakhi production cost
- Approximately Rs 3 to Rs 4 per rakhi
- Wholesale price
- Around Rs 6 to Rs 7 per rakhi
- Retail price
- Around Rs 10 or more, depending on design
- Popular themes
- Viksit Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Nari Vandan, Lakhpati Didi, BrahMos and Rashtra Raksha Sutra
Quotes
Sarita Kumar
Delhi-based rakhi maker from Haiderpur who works with a group of women artisans.
“We want to move ahead and support our family’s income. Whenever the festival comes, we take up this seasonal business.”
theprint.in
Praveen Khandelwal
Chandni Chowk MP and CAIT national secretary general.
“Today, a swadeshi rakhi is not merely a sacred thread of protection. It has become a powerful symbol of Viksit Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat, women’s empowerment and national pride.”
theprint.in
Sources
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