As the festival of Raksha Bandhan approaches, the markets in Ambala Cantt have transformed into vibrant hubs adorned with colorful and attractive rakhis. This season, special varieties have been crafted not just for local residents, but also for wholesale traders traveling from various districts across Punjab and Haryana. Major commercial spots in Ambala Cantt, including Sadar Bazaar, Halwai Bazaar, and Ram Bazaar, are buzzing with activity as shops display their festive wares. The local rakhis are now reaching neighboring cities as merchants buy them in bulk to stock their own retail shops.
The primary highlight of the Ambala Cantt collection this year is the introduction of fresh, modern designs. Local rakhi manufacturers have tailored their creations to match current market preferences and the demands of everyone from young children to women. As a result, alongside traditional threads, fancy rakhis are prominently displayed, successfully competing with those found in larger metropolitan markets. Traders note that Ambala offers an advantageous combination of competitive pricing and diverse choices, drawing buyers from cities like Ludhiana in Punjab and Yamunanagar in Haryana.
Rakesh Kumar, a trader who traveled from Ludhiana, shared that he had heard a lot about the unique reputation of Ambala rakhis. Upon visiting the markets, he found an impressive variety of fancy designs. For children, rakhis featuring popular cartoon characters such as Motu Patlu, Superman, and Spider-Man remain major crowd-pullers. Bicycle-themed designs and illuminated rakhis featuring tiny colorful lights that glow in the dark are also huge hits among kids. Additionally, couple rakhis designed to celebrate the bond between a brother and sister-in-law are widely available in numerous styles.
Mohit Kumar, visiting from Yamunanagar, noted that he came to purchase bulk stock for his retail store. He observed that women and youth are showing a strong preference for designer rakhis embedded with stones and American diamonds. For those with traditional tastes, designs featuring sacred symbols like Om and Swastika are widely stocked, while gold-chain and diamond-look pieces cater to the premium segment. For customers seeking simplicity, basic moli and silk thread rakhis start at a modest 20 rupees, whereas elaborate premium designs and gift packs go up to 1000 rupees.
Packaging has also become a major selling point this year, with peacock-themed boxes, chest-like containers, and comprehensive family packs drawing buyer attention. Some packs feature coordinated sets of rakhis for every member of the family. Puja kits containing small packets of rice and vermilion for the tilak ceremony are readily available, providing all necessary ritual items in one convenient package. Local shopkeepers indicate that compared to last year, overall rakhi prices have gone up by roughly 20 to 25 percent. This price adjustment is attributed to rising manufacturing costs for raw materials, plastics, and premium packaging. For instance, a fancy boxed rakhi that sold for 100 rupees last year is now priced between 120 and 130 rupees. Meanwhile, in a separate festive announcement, the Haryana government has offered free bus travel for women on AC buses during Raksha Bandhan, with the facility commencing at 12 PM.
