1 2 Prayagraj: On the eve of Janmashtami , city markets are flooded with godly knick-knacks. From cotton-made mosquito nets to loincloths for Lord Krishna , or brass idols of Radha Krishna to pretty clothes from Mathura and Vrindavan — shops and stalls at Chowk , Civil Lines, Katra, Loknath, Leader Road, Sulemsarai, Teliyarganj, and Mutthiganj are all stocked up. A wide range of pearl-made jewellery and Kanha bansuri (flute) and swings are a hot favourite among customers.
“We have a wide variety of mukuts (crowns), necklaces, swings, flutes, Rajasthani clothes, and other decorative pieces to decorate tableaux,” said Brijesh Kumar Chaurasia, a wholesale stockist at Chowk. He added, “The demand for cotton-made nets and garments for Lord Krishna and Radha has increased manifold.” The price range is from Rs 350 to Rs 5,000.
“The fancy swings, a wide range of colourful and traditional clothes for Kanha, and toran (festoon) are flying off the shelves,” claimed Chaurasia. He added, “The market will do business worth more than Rs 15 crore this Janmashtami.” At Civil Lines market, Radha-Krishna rajasthani attire for children is up for grabs.
“I am looking for a cotton Kanha ensemble for my 8-year-old son who is playing the role of Kanha at an event in my residential colony,” said RK Pathak. He added, “This year, unique Mumbai-made decors have wooed the customers.” Pointedly, silk dresses with gota work and morpankh (peacock plumes) print are high in demand.
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