GANGTOK, 24 Sept: With the festive season just round-the-corner and the ‘Dasain Ko Ghaam’ at its peak, people have begun flocking to shopping outlets in-and-around the capital which prominently display placards announcing numerous festive discount packages. The hustle and bustle at the markets signals the start of the festive season, when shopping for electronics, furniture, household items, food products and especially garments and footwear is the highest.
Like every year, shopping for the festivals of Durga Puja and Diwali have begun with full enthusiasm particularly in Sikkim and West Bengal. Regardless of financial ups and downs, this is the time to spend!
Markets and Haat Bazaars in all major towns and sub-divisions come to life during this time of the year with travelling entrepreneurs setting up temporary shops to woo the Dasain shopper. Various branded showrooms and “foreign shops” all-over start getting hoards of shoppers prior to Dasain. Numerous placards of discounts and sales are a common sight. A shopper can find varieties of clothes both in traditional and western styles. Brands like Levis, Adidas, Van Heusen, Woodlands, Koutons and Benetton and many others try to come out with something new and extravagant each year and with the special festive discounts on offer these outlets attract crowds in good numbers. The different Dasain and Diwali Expos also bring added variety to the options already available.
In Gangtok, markets such as Lall Bazaar, Big Bazaar, New Market and MG Marg are packed with women looking for woven silk saris, the traditional Nepali saris with a touch of embellishment in the form of motifs along the borders. Among salwar suits, ‘Anarkali’ style rules this season along with leggings and kurtis. One can also spot them in denims and stylish tops during the festive season.
Men’s shopping includes, formal shoes, traditional daura-suruwal or tailored suits with embroidered collars as well as casual wear with trendy designs. Branded sneakers, tennis shoes, cargos, jeans, t-shirts and also jackets and woolens (winter clothing that usually go on sale from Dasain onwards) are the items that boys would be eyeing during this time.
Electronic items also attract splurging on during the festival of fortune and prosperity, with mobile phones, television sets, home theatres, play stations, DVD players, refrigerators, washing machines and kitchen-ware being the main items which the different electronic multinationals put on special discounted offers with installment option to attract customers. Then there is also “Dhanteras” where the women of the house either buy precious metals, luxury items, jewelry and precious stones that is considered to bring good fortune to the family. But that is closer to Diwali still some time away.
Moreover, Dasain shopping cannot end without purchasing eatables, sweets and food items for the family get-togethers during the holidays. People start stocking on ration brought from markets outside the state as well as from the whole-sellers here. The different tea shops in the capital offer ‘variety’ during this time with laddus and barfis ruling the sales. Restaurants and Hotels offer entertaining events, parties, special packages and menus to attract customers during the holiday season.
The overall feel during this time is of merry-making, when one does not compromise on spending as the majority of people in the hills wait and save, for this time of the year to liberally indulge in shopping. With the countdown to the festivities already on, shopping hubs are the places that clearly indicate that Yes! Dasain is here.
Like every year, shopping for the festivals of Durga Puja and Diwali have begun with full enthusiasm particularly in Sikkim and West Bengal. Regardless of financial ups and downs, this is the time to spend!
Markets and Haat Bazaars in all major towns and sub-divisions come to life during this time of the year with travelling entrepreneurs setting up temporary shops to woo the Dasain shopper. Various branded showrooms and “foreign shops” all-over start getting hoards of shoppers prior to Dasain. Numerous placards of discounts and sales are a common sight. A shopper can find varieties of clothes both in traditional and western styles. Brands like Levis, Adidas, Van Heusen, Woodlands, Koutons and Benetton and many others try to come out with something new and extravagant each year and with the special festive discounts on offer these outlets attract crowds in good numbers. The different Dasain and Diwali Expos also bring added variety to the options already available.
In Gangtok, markets such as Lall Bazaar, Big Bazaar, New Market and MG Marg are packed with women looking for woven silk saris, the traditional Nepali saris with a touch of embellishment in the form of motifs along the borders. Among salwar suits, ‘Anarkali’ style rules this season along with leggings and kurtis. One can also spot them in denims and stylish tops during the festive season.
Men’s shopping includes, formal shoes, traditional daura-suruwal or tailored suits with embroidered collars as well as casual wear with trendy designs. Branded sneakers, tennis shoes, cargos, jeans, t-shirts and also jackets and woolens (winter clothing that usually go on sale from Dasain onwards) are the items that boys would be eyeing during this time.
Electronic items also attract splurging on during the festival of fortune and prosperity, with mobile phones, television sets, home theatres, play stations, DVD players, refrigerators, washing machines and kitchen-ware being the main items which the different electronic multinationals put on special discounted offers with installment option to attract customers. Then there is also “Dhanteras” where the women of the house either buy precious metals, luxury items, jewelry and precious stones that is considered to bring good fortune to the family. But that is closer to Diwali still some time away.
Moreover, Dasain shopping cannot end without purchasing eatables, sweets and food items for the family get-togethers during the holidays. People start stocking on ration brought from markets outside the state as well as from the whole-sellers here. The different tea shops in the capital offer ‘variety’ during this time with laddus and barfis ruling the sales. Restaurants and Hotels offer entertaining events, parties, special packages and menus to attract customers during the holiday season.
The overall feel during this time is of merry-making, when one does not compromise on spending as the majority of people in the hills wait and save, for this time of the year to liberally indulge in shopping. With the countdown to the festivities already on, shopping hubs are the places that clearly indicate that Yes! Dasain is here.
