Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 18

While Raksha Bandhan has always been synonymous to the trend of tying rakhis to brothers and sisters, a new trend has found its roots in the markets this year.

This is of addition of rakhis for bhabhi too. Several stores selling rakhis this time are flooded with a double set of rakhis – a simpler single or double embellished thread for bhaiya and a fancier one with multiple dazzling, hanging threads for bhabhi. The pair of rakhis for the couple has been designed in a way that they perfectly match one another with the main motiff in both the items and the pattern of beads, pearls etc woven in the threads remaining the same.

There are several kinds of matching pairs of rakhis for bhaiya-bhabhi, including those with peacock motif, oxidised central piece and those in the kundan work. There are sets with two broad bands in red colour with bhaiya written on one and bhabhi on the other one. The bhabhi’s band is made to look more elegant and feminine.

Raman Chawla, a localite shopping at the Meena Bazaar, said, “I was fascinated with this idea. I have bought the peacock set for Rs 250. I used to often find it so odd going to my brother’s place and taking all goodies only for him during rakhi. This set is quite interesting and I am sure that my sister-in-law will like this surprise and both of them will like their wrists being adorned with a matching set.”

Further, to go with the rakhis, several gifts have also been merchandised for the sisters to pick to present to their bhaiya-bhabhi couple. There are T-shirts, cushion covers and coffee mugs with bhaiya-bhabhi written on them to go with the rakhi sets. Sneha Sukhija, a shopper at the Model Town, said, “I had already purchased a single rakhi and was searching for a gift when I chanced upon a pair of cushion covers for bhaiya-bhabhi and went for it. It’s a nice and a cool idea”.

These rakhi sets and gift items are not just available in the local markets, but can also be purchased from several portals. Arshiya, a collegiate, said, “I found a nice pair of rakhis for my bhaiya-bhabhi on the web and thought it’s a new concept and immediately went for it.”