Women in Gorakhpur flocked markets to buy 'rakhis' for their brothers on Thursday ahead of Raksha Bandhan festival.
'Rakhi' is a symbolic holy thread, which a sister ties on her brother's wrist as a mark of bonding between them on the sibling festival known as 'Raksha Bandhan'.
A shopkeeper, Pradeep Kumar Gupta, said people reeling under the effect of inflation are buying Chinese rakhis as they are affordable.
"Chinese rakhis are light weight and beautiful. That's why they are better and customers find them affordable also," said Gupta.
A wide variety of colourful 'rakhis' embedded with precious stones are also available in markets.
Meanwhile, a customer, Sameeksha, said there was a surge in prices of rakhis.
"There is a variety of rakhis this time, but prices have also gone up," she said.
'Rakhi' is a symbol of affection and bonding between sisters and brothers.
This year, the Raksha Bandhan festival will be celebrated on August 10.
