Synopsis: The Chhath Puja festival generated trade worth over Rs 50,000 crore nationwide, with Bihar, Delhi, and Jharkhand leading the celebrations, according to CAIT. The report highlights how Swadeshi products, festive demand, and GST savings drove record economic activity during the four-day festival.
The grand celebration of Chhath Puja this year turned into a massive economic event, generating business worth more than ?50,000 crore across India, according to an assessment by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) released on Tuesday.
The survey revealed that over 10 crore people actively participated in Chhath festivities, with Bihar, Delhi, and Jharkhand emerging as the top contributors to the festive economy. Bihar alone saw business activity worth ?15,000 crore, followed by ?8,000 crore in Delhi and ?5,000 crore in Jharkhand.
CAIT’s findings are part of its ongoing research into India’s “Sanatan Economy”, a study that examines how traditional festivals and weddings contribute to the nation’s financial ecosystem.
CAIT Secretary General and Member of Parliament Praveen Khandelwal said the Purvanchal belt, including parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, was the epicentre of celebrations. Thousands gathered along riverbanks and ponds to perform rituals dedicated to the Sun God, marking one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated with deep devotion and grandeur.
However, the celebrations were not limited to eastern India. Delhi-NCR witnessed strong business momentum, driven by its large Purvanchali population. The Delhi government, which built 1,500 ghats for the festival, spent heavily on infrastructure, sanitation, and safety measures, further stimulating local economic activity.
Khandelwal added that other states like West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan also reported robust festive sales. Even in non-traditional regions like Odisha, Karnataka, and Telangana, migrant communities celebrated Chhath with enthusiasm, resulting in brisk sales of puja-related items and local produce.
According to CAIT, the key products that saw the highest demand included bananas, sugarcane, coconuts, rice, grains, sweets (thekua, laddoos), and traditional puja materials such as bamboo baskets, diyas, flowers, and clay utensils.
Additionally, service sectors such as lighting, sanitation, boat rides, and ghat maintenance witnessed a sharp rise in demand during the festival.
Khandelwal highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swadeshi campaign and recent GST rate reductions played a crucial role in boosting trade during the festive period. Local markets across India organised “Swadeshi Chhath” campaigns to promote indigenous goods, benefiting small traders, artisans, and traditional craftsmen.
He noted that the momentum carried forward from the Prime Minister’s GST Savings Festival, which had already fueled Diwali sales, extending the consumer spending spree into Chhath Puja. Together, these twin festivals contributed significantly to India’s festive season demand recovery and bolstered the domestic retail economy.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. The figures and statements cited are based on CAIT’s post-festival assessment and should not be considered official government data or financial advice.
