November 10: With the festival of Tihar just around the corner, the business of Tihar-related materials has also increased in the market. Currently, the main business center of Kathmandu including Asan, Indra Chowk and other places are crowded with consumers who are busy shopping for Tihar. According to the businessmen, the business of bhaimasala (dry fruits and sweets), electric lanterns, candles, colors, flower garlands, dhakatopi cap, etc, which are necessary for celebrating Tihar, is notably high. 

Traders said that the business of string lights used in Tihar increased a lot with an increase in the number of customers.

The sale of string lights is high especially during Tihar and Chhath as it is customary for people to use different kinds of colorful lights.

Earlier, most of the people used clay lamps during this festival. Recently, the number of people using electric lights has increased.

Resham Devkota, the president of the Federation of Nepal Electrical Traders informed that the import of string lights also increased this year compared to last year. According to him, string lights worth Rs 360 million were imported last year targeting Tihar and Chhath. This year, almost Rs 500 million have been spent for importing those items. Around 95 percent of the string lights are imported from China and remaining from India. 

Currently, the business of bhaimasala has also increased rapidly. As per a retailer, especially on the day of Bhai Tika, sisters give cashew nuts, raisins, pistachio nuts, coconuts, dates, cloves, walnuts, rock sugar, cardamom, betel nut etc., increasing their trade. 

Ram Mohan Vaishya, who runs a wholesale grocery store in Kalimati, Kathmandu, said that the daily turnover, which used to be between Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000, has now reached Rs 80,000 to Rs 100,000. He said that the slump in business brought by recession is now being overshadowed by the momentum brought by Tihar. 

Amul Kaji Tuladhar, secretary general of the Retail Trade Association informed that the price of bhaimasala has not changed much this year compared to last year. According to him, the price of cashew nuts is now Rs 1500 to Rs 1800 per kg. Almonds are available at Rs 1200 to Rs 1400 per kg. The price of pistachio is Rs 2200 per kg and raisin is Rs 500 per kg. Similarly, cloves cost Rs 2000 per kg and walnuts are priced at Rs 450 to Rs 500 per kg.