Himachal: Business gaining pace at Pipal Jatra

The Spring Festival Trade Fair, which began on April 28 and will continue till May 15, has been witnessing a growing number of shoppers. Initially, business was slow for the traders who set up temporary stalls, but footfall has been increasing steadily. Sunday saw a noticeable rise in customers compared to previous days, giving traders hope for better business in the coming weeks.

Many traders expressed concerns over the increased prices for plot allotment, stating that they were yet to recover the amount invested. Ramesh, a trader, shared his optimism, saying, “Seeing the crowd on Sunday, we are hopeful for a good business turnout.” The fair serves as a shopping hub for residents from the district as well as the tribal region of Lahaul-Spiti. With stalls offering both summer and winter clothing, shoppers from rural areas have also been frequenting the market.

Apart from clothes, customers have been drawn to a wide variety of products, including utensils, shoes, handicrafts and other household essentials. Villagers Sharda, Neelam, and Manju said certain items were available at cheaper rates in these temporary stalls. Markets such as Rags Market have seen bustling crowds, leaving shopkeepers delighted. Food stalls serving local delicacies have also been experiencing a high number of visitors.

This year, traders from outside states have joined the fair, further diversifying the range of goods available. However, some markets, including crockery, Meena Market, Rags Market, and the shoe market, saw fewer customers during the first three days, resulting in lower-than-expected sales. Additionally, swings were not set up for the first two days, leaving children disappointed.

The rising rents at Pipal Fair have become a significant concern for shopkeepers, discouraging them from participating year after year. Many traders from distant regions have even opted out this time due to the soaring bidding prices of plots. While the Kullu Municipal Council has gained financially, traders fear potential losses after investing heavily in securing stalls.