Threads of Love

The Sacred bond between a brother and a sister is a conglomeration of priceless childhood memories, unconditional friendship for a lifetime strewn with dollops of playful mischief and rivalry between the siblings. Celebrating the bond is the festival of Raksha Bandhan which is celebrated all over India with a lot of pomp and vigour. A festival where a sister ties a sacred thread or rakhi on her brother’s wrist. Rakhi symbolizes not the pristine bond between a brother and a sister, but also stands proud as an unsaid declaration of love and respect between the siblings.

People eagerly await this festival every year, where the brother aims to protect his sister, and the sister also vows to shield her brother from trouble by praying for his long life, health and prosperity. This day is filled with happiness, celebrations and loads of gifting between the brothers and sisters.

In India, the significance of Rakhi also lies in the rituals involving the tying of a rakhi, where a ceremonial thali (platter) is decorated with diyas, also containing rice, vermilion (sindoor), and a specially prepared sweet dish to mark the occasion after which the Rakhi is tied around the brother’s wrist.

The tricity markets are buzzing around with action and a lot of Rakhi trends to choose from sustainable, multi-functional and meaningful designs. The markets are offering Rakhis in all price ranges to suit every pocket. Large crowds of festival shoppers can be spotted buying their festival must have’s from the markets across the city. Jewellery shops have also stocked up a wide variety of Rakhis to pick from silver and keepsake bracelets which can be used and worn even after the festival ends.

With Raksha Bandhan round the corner, we at The North News do a quick market recce and capture the Rakha Bandhan trends and flavours for this season.

Silver Rakhis
For 925 sterling silver rakhis and American diamond-studded chain bands head to the small silver shops in Sector 22 and elsewhere in the city where there is a wide variety to pick and choose from. The prices range from ₹5,000 to ₹50,000.

Fab India
Fab India, has a large collection of hi end Rakhis to choose from in their outlets across the city, here the Rakhi prices range from Rs 299 to Rs 3000, their collection of rakhis is very varied with colorful silver enamel rakhis available in floral and animal motifs. Rakhis with silver balls, bead work and lumba designs are also available here.

Shastri Market 22
Make-shift stalls at city ready markets have mushroomed up which have a lot to offer right from rakhis in designs such as evil-eye and spiritual motifs available in earthy and eco-friendly materials. Rakhis in traditional embroidered designs are also available in the price-range of Rs 30 to Rs 200. The vendors source these directly from the factories and offer a colorful assortment to pick from.

Wholesale Market Sector 20
The best picks from here include the Lord Krishna rakhi featuring the Shyam and Mukut motifs. The market also offers unique cartoon-themed Rakhis for children which have designs such as Chota Bheem, Marvel superheroes, Spiderman and Doraemon Rakhis to pick from besides the LED bands . Prices generally range from ₹40 to ₹300. The market also offers a large collection of gift hampers packed with dry fruits, chocolates, and snacks, making for unique and special Rakhi gifts. There are specially curated wellness boxes available here too which can also be custom-made featuring standard sweet-combos, personalised-self-care kits and gourmet snacks in eco-friendly gift packaging.

Bhaiya-Bhabhi Lumba Sets
The city market stalls and shelves are also sparkling with the co-ordinated couple sets in pearl, metal and embroidered designs to pick and choose from for extended family celebrations.