Ranchi, April 8: In an age when movie and cricket merchandising has caught the imagination of youngsters, Ram bhakts are arming themselves with traditional weapons to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

Devotees are thronging hardware shops in the capital to purchase swords, daggers, saffron flags, trishuls and bamboo staff for the Ramnavami celebrations on April 14.

“We are doing good business. The sale will pick up in the days to come since the festival is still a few days away,” Satrughan Tiwari of the Tiwari Hardwares said.

“The prices of the weapons, which are brought from Amritsar, vary according to the shape and size. The prices are in the range of Rs 65 to Rs 200,” Tiwari added.

Devotees are shopping for trishuls as well. “Trishuls were not in great demand last year. But this year the sale has gone up. Bamboo staff are very popular with devotees. Ramnavami is a symbol of the victory of good over evil. It is a symbol of power. So weapons are an integral part of this festival,” he adds.

The Kutchery Chowk, Albert Ekka Chowk and Ratu Road of the capital have turned saffron with flags fluttering in summer breeze.

Rajan Prasad Soni, a shopkeeper who sells flags, said: “Saffron flags are in great demand. Prices of the flags depend on the size and the quality of the cloth. It starts from Rs 35 and can go up to Rs 10,000. A 151-feet flag made from a high quality of cloth costs Rs 10, 000.”

Rizwan, another shopkeeper said, “Most of the people buy readymade flags. But there is a section which places orders for them. Puja committees shell out a large chunk of their budget in purchase of flags. The flags are used during the processions.” Puja committees take out a huge procession in the capital to observe Ramnavami.

Rizwan said the procession should be planned well to avert mishaps. According to him, shopkeepers should not sell arms to under-age boys.

“We do not sell weapons to under-age boys. Puja committees should also not allow under-age youths to flaunt weapons during the processions. In the past, mishap have taken place due to the callous attitude of puja committees.”

The organisers of Ramnavami committees have geared up for the procession. “Preparations are in full swing Like every year, we will take out a huge procession,” said Manoj Bhagat, a member of the Bajrang Bali Ramnavami Samiti of Kanke Road