The Karwa Chauth festival this year is estimated to generate business of around Rs 22,000 crore from over Rs 15,000 crore last year, said the traders’ body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Saturday. The traditional festival is celebrated predominantly by married women in northern and western parts of India and falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the month of Kartik according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Vocal for Local” campaign, Karwa Chauth sends a strong message to use locally-made products.
“Over the last few days, the markets across the country have been buzzing with enthusiasm for the shopping associated with this festival. There has been heavy shopping for items like clothes, jewellery, cosmetics, gift items, and puja essentials,” he said.
Khandelwal added that sales are expected to reach approximately Rs 4,000 crore in Delhi alone. “If this happens, it will break previous sales records for this occasion.”
Karwa Chauth, with its emphasis on rituals, gift-giving, and elaborate celebrations, presents significant business opportunities for traders. Khandelwal said that shopping will include items like jewellery, clothing, makeup products, sarees, puja calendars, and materials such as Karwa pots, sieves, lamps, wicks, and other puja-related items.
Most women also purchase the Karwa Chauth storybook and lamps. In addition to these, cosmetic items like red glass bangles, anklets, toe rings, lockets, and Karwa thalis in various designs are popular. This year, silver Karwas are also available in the market, and they are expected to be in high demand, he said.
According to CAIT, the ongoing festive season this year is expected to see business worth Rs 4.25 lakh crore from Rs 3.5 lakh crore last year. This year, in Delhi alone, the festive business is expected to exceed Rs 75,000 crore.