Young girls select rakhis and (above) a collection of rakhis at a store in Patna. Pictures by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Aug. 10: The countdown has begun for the Rakhi celebrations. Brothers are making the final list of the gifts for their sisters and girls are busy choosing the best Rakhi for their brothers.

The girls feel, this year, only designer Rakhis can fit their brothers best and so do the shop owners selling them.

Monalisha, a 16-year-old student of Arvind Mahila College, said: “For my brother, a surprise awaits this rakhi. I have bought a designer rakhi for him. Apart from that I will gift him photograph of his would-be wife. He is unaware that his wedding has been fixed. In return, I will ask for a beautiful outfit. I think it is less compared to the gift I will present him.”

Thirteen days more for the Raksha Bandhan, sisters are leaving no stone unturned to make the day a special one for their brothers.

Seventeen-year-old Sucheta said: “I am the eldest sister and my brother is six years younger. My responsibilities and love usually get doubled on Raksha Bandhan. When I tie rakhi, his prompt action is to ask for a gift. This time, I will gift him a small toy motor car. I am sure he will love it.”

Sweet Home, the hottest destination for sweets on Boring Road, will present something exclusive for the occasion.

Harsh Kumar, the owner of the sweet shop said: “We have kaju strawberry, kaju watermelon, mix kaju balls having a chocolate filling, badam barfi, kaju gillori, kaju bite, khajur paat, gurras malai, kaju chocolate barfi are the exclusive ones that you can find on Raksha Bandhan. Chocolate kulfi and honey chocolate nuts are being specially made for the occasion.”

He added that kaju items will be available at a price ranging between Rs 400 and Rs 700. If sisters are bothered about their diabetic brothers, they need not worry anymore. Many shops are also selling sugar-free sweets at Rs 600 a kilo.

If sweet shops are gearing up for the occasion how could other shops be far behind. Vikas, the owner of Surabhi Shringar, said: “This year we have various types of Rakhis. Rakhis with zari, pearls, silk and with stones. A zari rakhi costs between Rs 2 and Rs 200, pearl ones costs up to Rs 100, resham rakhis up to Rs 200 and stone ones are of Rs 300.”

He said: “Chocolates too are in heavy demand. Selling of rakhis started a week back. I have sold rakhis worth Rs 20,000 till now. For children, specially-made cartoon character rakhis are also available. Rakhis with lion faces with lights are selling like hot cakes.

Vineeta, who completed her graduation this year said: “The day of Raksha Bandhan is of great fun. I have four brothers and I am the only sister. All my brothers are established so I can expect some expensive gifts this year.”

Himanshu Shekhar, the owner of Archies Gallery on Boring Canal Road said: “For Raksha Bandhan, Archies has come up with poster rakhis. Brothers who stay out of the country or in a different state can also get rakhis in the form of posters from their sisters. Archies also has its own collection of Rakhis ranging between Rs 35 and Rs 75.”

Nupur Priya a student of Vanijya Mahavidyalay, said: “My brother Vimal is doing his masters in computer applications from Sibhar College, Pune. This year, he will not be able to come for Rakhi. My brother will send me a gift. I told him that the best gift would be his visit on the Raksha Bandhan day. It is my brother who matters more on the day and not the gifts.”

Raksha Bandhan, is a Hindu festival, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shravan Poornima. The festival is marked by the tying of a rakhi, or holy thread by the sister on the wrist of her brother.

The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her as she presents sweets to her brother. The brother and sister traditionally feed one another with their favourite sweets. It is not necessary that the rakhi be given only to a blood brother; any male can be “adopted” as a brother by tying a rakhi on the person, that is “blood brothers and sisters”, whether they are cousins or a good friend.