Traditional designs a hit this Rakshabandhan

GURGAON: Vibrant Raksha Bandhan celebrations have transformed markets and malls in the city and traditional rakhis yet again, seem to be the most popular amongst customers.
"Approximately 2000 Rakhi shops/stalls are in new Gurgaon alone", said Raghav who has a stall in Sector 29 Maidan. Priced from Rs 20 to Rs 500, one can select from a wide range of rachis in a variety of designs.Although their number is low, chinese rakhis which emit special lights and sounds, can be found in this year's stalls too.
But what is selling the most are the traditional designs, which are popular at both the small-time rakhi stall owners and the branded shops. Manu, a rakhi seller in Sadar Bazaar, said "So far, this year's sales have been good. Unlike last year, when we had a high demand for Anna rakhis, this year traditional Rakhis are selling in large numbers."
However, it is not only the design which appeals to the customers, the rakhi's colour and material also play an important part. Niharika, a customer in Sadar Bazaar pointing towards the lane of rakhi stalls, said "The entire lane is filled with rakhi sellers and I don't know which stall to go to. I am at the fifth stall and still extremely confused about which rakhi to buy." She added that she wished to buy a blue coloured rakhi as it is her brother's favourite colour.
Most rakhi gifts have been priced between Rs 200 to Rs 500, to make them affordable to the maximum number of people. The price of puja thalis, which are especially made for Raksha Bandhan, start from Rs 250. "Price increases with the increase in the intricacy and creativity of the work," said Adarsh, who has a stall in MGF Metropolitan Mall.