Rudraksha trade in full swing

By Nabin Gurung, Sankhuwasabha, Nov. 5: Trading of rudraksha beads has gained momentum in the eastern hill district of Sankhuwasabha. The trade usually begins in Sankhuwasabha and neighbouring Bhojpur from the last week of September.

In the lower parts of the district, particularly in the lowland areas and along the banks of the Arun River, rudraksha beads begin to mature around mid-September. Farmers start harvesting them as soon as they ripen, after which the beads enter the market and trading activities begin. While harvesting starts early in the lowland areas, beads in the upper regions generally mature only towards the end of October or the first week of November.

Manoj Katuwal, deputy head of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Rudraksha Business Federation, said that trading begins as early as September because rudraksha beads mature earlier in the lower areas. He said market activities had increased with the growth in trade. "Khandbari and Tumlingtar are the main trading centres for rudraksha.