Festival Fever: Demand Surges for PM Modi Masks in Muzaffarpur Ahead of Holi

MUZAFFARPUR, Bihar — Holi preparations are in full swing in Muzaffarpur, but this year the festive excitement has taken an unusual turn. Masks featuring the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have seen such high demand that they have sold out across the city’s main wholesale market.

At Chhata Bazaar, Muzaffarpur’s well-known hub for colors and water guns, traders say the so-called “Modi mask” has been out of stock for nearly 10 days.

Local trader Sadhu Bhai said demand was so strong that supplies ran out quickly.

“We tried to reorder from Delhi,” he said, “but traders there informed us that stocks were insufficient and they could not supply more.”

Another shopkeeper, Amit Kumar, said customers had been specifically requesting masks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of their Holi celebrations, but wholesalers have been unable to meet the surge in demand.

Mantu, a third trader, confirmed that efforts to restock have so far been unsuccessful, with no fresh supply available.

Despite the shortage of the popular masks, the market remains lively. Traders say there has been a noticeable shift in consumer preferences this year, particularly in the types of pichkaris — water guns used during Holi — that buyers are choosing.

Traditional hand-pump pichkaris are gradually being replaced by modern designs. Tank-shaped pichkaris that can store larger quantities of colored water are in high demand. Rechargeable, battery-operated water guns have also become popular, especially among children and younger buyers.

Shopkeepers say the trend reflects changing tastes, with festival accessories becoming more advanced and tech-driven.

“Now pichkaris are modern too,” one trader said, pointing to shelves stocked with brightly colored, high-tech water guns.

As Holi approaches, Muzaffarpur’s markets are bustling with activity, blending traditional celebration with new-age innovation. (Source: IANS)