Bhubaneswar, June 10: With only a few days to go before the three-day Raja festival begins, women in the city are thronging clothes and accessory stores for last-minute shopping.
It is boom time for sellers with shops chock-a-block with customers.
While many shops are offering discounts to woo customers, others are offering gifts with every purchase. Still others are giving out scratch-and-win coupons or organising lucky draws.
During Raja, women seek a break from the everyday humdrum of life and pamper themselves by indulging in shopping and observing rituals.
Jumpsuits and palazzo pants are the most sought-after pieces of clothing this season and most girls are going for bright colours.
"Raja is incomplete without shopping. I am going for some bright-coloured tops and ankle-length jeans," said Ananya Mohapatra, a college student.
For those who prefer to go traditional with the nine-yard drape this Raja season, there is a lot to choose from. From simple cotton saris to netted ones and from embellished to embroidered saris, stores are packed with a various range of designer saris. These are available in bold and pastel hues, block and asymmetrical prints coupled with intricate borders. They are ideal both for evening parties and daytime assignments and come anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 5,000.
"Since summer is on, we have a number of saris in lightweight fabrics such as organza and satin silk. Shoppers, especially working women, taking a lot of interest in these collections," said Prashant Maharana, manager of a sari shop near Master Canteen Square.
Designers Pritam Panda and Rashmi Mohapatra, who are behind the brand Raas, have come up with a special collection for Raja. Their collection includes saris, salwar suits and kurtis in a range of colours and designs weaved from traditional fabric from Odisha including ikat and organza.
In view of the festive season, the newly inaugurated Boyanika showroom in the premises of Boyan Bhavan in the city has come up with a set of special handloom attires.
"The festival is extremely special for women and the designs have been made keeping the rituals in mind. They have a traditional touch," said technical officer of Boyanika Manish Mishra.
Women are making a beeline for jewellery and cosmetics stores and buying other items such as purses, clutches and handbags to match their apparels.
With Raja being synonymous with swings, girls are also seen crowding around hammock vendors, who are making some quick bucks. The rope and plastic ones are the most popular.
"This is profitable since we do not have to spend much in making of the swings. They are cost-effective and can be used both inside and outside the house," says Munna Kummar, a seller near AG Square.
