Karvachauth fuels festive spirit, entrepreneurial drive

In Amritsar, market areas are alight with laughter, lively conversations and a festive spirit. Dedicated mehndi stalls during Karvachauth have become bustling hotspots, especially with women queuing up for their turn.

The festival, which symbolises marital harmony and the bond between couples, has recently evolved into a major spectacle, boosting the business of henna artists, salons and designer fashion labels.

Among the professionals are some seasonal first-timers capitalising on the Karvachauth commerce. Shariq, who runs a tea stall on busy Lawrence Road, has this year set up a mehndi stall with the help of his family, predominantly women, turning henna artists. “It’s a time of year when we can earn quick money while enjoying the festivities and expressing our creativity,” said Iqra, who manages the stall alongside Shariq. She is joined by three cousins visiting from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. “We learned to create henna designs at home by watching social media videos. We visit Amritsar every year, and this time we’re making money from our skill,” said one of the girls, who preferred not to be named. The trio are students back home and feel that such festivals offer a rare opportunity to earn and build confidence. “Sometimes, family issues prevent women from going out to work. Since Karvachauth is a women-centric festival, it becomes an opportunity for young women to bring home self-earned money,” said Bhavna, another mehndi artist who sets up a stall on Lawrence Road

annually.

With Arabic and intricate designs gaining popularity thanks to social media, the business has become more lucrative. “Earlier, we charged between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 per sitting, especially for new brides. This year, all kinds of clients are demanding intricate designs, and we charge Rs 1,500 onwards,” said Iqra.

Working with teams of 10-12 artists from Delhi, Agra, Lucknow and Kolkata, many mehndi artists report bookings well in advance. “These two to three days of the Karvachauth festival easily earn us Rs 30,000 to 50,000, depending on stall location. If booked by a large salon chain, the charges rise, making it even more profitable,” said Manoj Kumar, a mehndi artist from Putlighar, who works with a team of seven artists.