Chhath Puja 2025: A ₹38,000 Crore Boost for India’s Local Economy

As the golden rays of the setting sun shimmer over rivers and ghats across India, millions of devotees stand in devotion during Chhath Puja — a celebration that blends deep faith with a unique spirit of sustainability. But beyond the chants, rituals, and offerings to the Sun God, this festival has quietly transformed into one of India’s most vibrant economic engines — driving business worth tens of thousands of crores, fueling local entrepreneurship, and powering the rise of a Swadeshi-driven marketplace.

According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Chhath Puja 2025 is set to generate a staggering ₹38,000 crore in business nationwide, a sharp rise from ₹31,000 crore last year and ₹27,000 crore in 2023. The festival, once deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, has now gone truly national — and with it, the local economy is glowing brighter than ever.

Swadeshi Chhath: Faith Fuels Local Enterprise

“Chhath Puja is not merely a religious festival but an integral part of India’s economic fabric,” said Praveen Khandelwal, CAIT Secretary General and MP. “It embodies Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vocal for Local and Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision by empowering small manufacturers, local artisans, and traders.”

Every item associated with the festival — from the humble soop and daliya woven from bamboo, to the diya molded from clay, and the prasad made from jaggery and fruits — tells a story of local craftsmanship and small-scale production. The markets are alive with the hum of sellers and buyers trading in Swadeshi goods: handcrafted baskets, earthen lamps, traditional sweets, utensils, eco-friendly puja items, and vibrant textiles.

Traditional attire is back in the spotlight, too. Sarees, lehenga-chunnis, salwar-kurtas, kurta-pajamas, and dhotis are flying off the shelves in bustling markets from Patna and Varanasi to Delhi and Lucknow, reflecting how cultural pride and consumer sentiment are intertwined in this festive season.

Startups and MSMEs Tap Into the Festive Economy

The festival’s expanding footprint — now celebrated across Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh — has opened massive opportunities for startups and MSMEs looking to serve India’s growing cultural economy.

A new wave of entrepreneurship inspired by tradition is emerging.

• Supply chain startups are building efficient networks to source and deliver festive goods from rural artisans to urban markets.

• E-commerce ventures are launching curated collections of sustainable puja items, handcrafted gifts, and eco-friendly packaging.

• Logistics and delivery startups are seeing a surge in demand as families across metros and small towns prepare for the festival.

• Sustainable product designers are introducing biodegradable items that align with Chhath’s deep environmental ethos.

In essence, Chhath is no longer just a celebration — it’s an incubator for innovation where devotion meets digital enterprise. For many small businesses, this period is not only lucrative but also brand-defining, giving them visibility in new regions and customer segments.

Delhi’s Markets Shine with Devotion and Demand

Delhi, home to a large Purvanchali population, has become a major epicenter of Chhath celebrations. This year, over 1,500 ghats have been set up across the city — from Yamuna Ghat and Kalindi Kunj to Wazirabad, Geeta Colony, and Mayur Vihar — transforming the capital into a tapestry of faith and festivity.

Simultaneously, markets like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Laxmi Nagar, Shahdara, Rani Bagh, and Lajpat Nagar are witnessing a record surge in footfall. Stalls overflow with fruits, sugarcane, bamboo baskets, and new clothing, while local eateries see brisk business. For traders, this is not just a spiritual high point but also one of the most profitable times of the year.

Swadeshi Spirit Driving Inclusive Growth

The essence of Chhath Puja lies in simplicity, sustainability, and community — and those same values are now driving an inclusive growth story across India. Most products used during the festival are locally sourced, generating income for village artisans, women-led self-help groups, and small-scale industries.

As the festival gains national prominence, it’s providing livelihood opportunities in both rural and urban regions — from bamboo weavers in Bihar to potters in Uttar Pradesh, and from small traders in Delhi to home-based sellers across Maharashtra.

Khandelwal summed it up aptly, “Chhath Puja showcases India’s cultural and economic unity — a festival where faith, cleanliness, and environmental awareness merge seamlessly with entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.”

The Bigger Picture: Culture-Led Commerce

For India’s startup ecosystem and MSME sector, Chhath Puja is more than just a religious observance — it’s an example of how tradition can power economic transformation. As consumer spending tilts toward locally made and sustainable products, the festival reinforces a powerful message: culture and commerce can coexist, complement, and even elevate each other.

The rise of this culture-led commerce reflects a broader trend — one where devotion inspires demand, and small businesses fuel growth in return.

Chhath Puja 2025 is not just a festival — it’s a ₹38,000 crore movement that beautifully intertwines faith, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. For India’s startups, MSMEs, and small traders, it’s a moment to shine — a reminder that innovation doesn’t always come from technology alone, but also from tradition, community, and purpose.

In the true spirit of Vocal for Local, this year’s Chhath stands as a testament to how devotion and digital-age enterprise together can illuminate India’s path toward a self-reliant, inclusive, and sustainable economic future.