Rakhi sales up by 75% in city after state fest announcement
Times of India | 28 August 2026
Kolkata: Demand for rakhis has surged by nearly 75% in Kolkata’s wholesale markets following chief minister Suvendu Adhikari’s announcement that Rakhi Bandhan will be celebrated as an official state-wide govt programme, with Tiranga and lotus-themed rakhis emerging as prominent choices. Clubs, businesses, institutions and other organisations are joining the last-minute rush to mark the festival.
The announcement had left manufacturers racing against time to meet a fresh wave of bulk demand. Traders in Burrabazar and Lalbazar said enquiries over the past fortnight have come from corporates, govt-linked organisations, social groups and clubs.
“Over the last 15 days, we’ve received a lot of queries and we are trying to keep up,” said Vinay Mundhra, a wholesaler and owner of Beleghata-based Fest India.
A senior representative of Vaishnavi Rakhi in Burrabazar said the shop had received an enquiry from a local police station for 5 lakh rakhis featuring lotus symbols.
Vaishnavi Rakhi owner Indu Devi said, “We have been in the Rakhi business for 30-40 years now. Compared to last year, sales have definitely surged.”
Traders said the political transition in Bengal has also influenced the designs being sought by buyers.
“Whenever political power changes, regardless of the party, political entities promote patriotism and national interest using symbols like the Tricolor,” Mundhra said.
The political and patriotic designs are only one part of a market that is simultaneously moving towards premiumisation. Piyush Khandelia of Rinu Rakhi said customised “numerology rakhis”, designed around a buyer’s date of birth, has emerged as an unexpected bestseller. Priced between Rs 800 and Rs 1,800 apiece, the rakhis have already sold out.
Meanwhile, conventional designs, like evil-eye and kundan, continue to attract buyers. Wholesalers said physical buyers were still visiting markets for customised and intricate designs while online sales through quick-commerce platforms have also gained ground.