Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Wholesale markets in Varanasi are witnessing a surge in activity as traders prepare for the upcoming Chaitra Navratri, which begins on March 19.

Markets across the city are stocked with a wide range of items required for the nine-day festival, and shoppers have started visiting in large numbers to purchase materials used in religious rituals.

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Among the most in-demand items are chunris, the sacred scarves traditionally offered to Durga during Navratri prayers. Shopkeepers say sales have picked up sharply in recent days, with decorative and fancy varieties drawing particular interest from buyers.

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Traders also noted that retailers from neighbouring districts are arriving at the wholesale markets to purchase chunris in bulk, anticipating strong demand in their local areas during the festive period.

Chaitra Navratri, observed during the Hindu month of Chaitra, is a nine-day festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms. The festival will conclude with Ram Navami, which marks the birth anniversary of Rama.