KATHMANDU: With the Dashain festival, the greatest festival of Hindus, already set in, shopping malls and departmental stores are chock-a-block with customers.
People from far and near throng New Road to buy goods, clothes, and foodstuffs. Most of the shopping malls in the Kathmandu Valley could be seen as full of customers purchasing clothes and foodstuffs. The vibrancy and a bustling crowd could be seen at Indrachowk, Mahabauddha, and Asan.
The festive season is also an opportunity for businessmen to make profits. That was why the businessmen were seen busy selling goods.
Clothes shopkeeper Sundar Shah owns a big clothing wholesale shop at New Road and a boutique at Indrachowk.
Talking to Khabarhub, he said, “The festive season is a big season for us to do our business. I have added five staffers for a month.”
“I am not fully satisfied unless I come to buy goods at New Road especially during festivals. It has been always my favorite place when it comes to shopping, says Sima Gurung, a customer from Bhaktapur.
Even though there are many shopping malls and departmental stores in Bhaktapur, I usually come to New Road for shopping especially during big festivals, said Gurung.
Not only Sima, but the current vibrancy of New Road also makes everyone feel that the Dashain festival has already begun.
A big chunk of people goes to visit their relatives during the Bada Dashain. When they go back home, they buy clothes and some presents for their relatives and family members. Around 3 million people are expected to go out of the capital during the Dashain festival.
Not only are the shops on the road, but those in the inner streets also doing good business. The shopkeepers have also launched various offers to attract customers targeting the Dashain festival.
A notice of 20 to 50 percent discount offer was visible outside the shops and departmental stores.
Not only shopping malls and department stores but also Bhrikutimandap, Chabahil, Bauddha, Gaushala, Machhapokhari, Naya Buspark areas are full of customers.
The Dashain festival has also brought cheers to vendors. Fulmaya Limbu, a footpath retailor, is doing a lucrative business in the street. Fulmaya comes to Machhapokhari from Kalanki at 6 am and continues selling goods until 7 pm.
“People come to this place while buying bus tickets and catch buses from Gongabu area while going back home. That is why more customers throng this area,’ said Fulmaya.
Not only Fulmaya, but a lot of vendors could also be seen going from one place to another place carrying clothes in their hands.
Poor people find hard to observe Dashain
Maili Tamang from Kavre has been carrying loads for the last 12 years. She has been sending her three children to school with the money she earns through this profession. “It is hard for laborers like me to save money for Dashain.”
“Even if I cannot buy any clothes for myself, I will buy new clothes for my children for this Dashain. I will take a loan from landlords and buy new clothes for them,” said Maili.
There are many parents who cannot manage even a square meal for their children let alone good clothes when Dashain comes.
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