Making hay while the sun shines, shopkeepers in Gelephu are cashing in on the sweltering heat. With devotees arriving from across the country for the religious ceremony, the overcrowded tents have made umbrellas a must-have. As temperatures soar, the demand for umbrellas is growing, and shopkeepers are seizing the opportunity to meet the demand.
Thousands are attending the ceremony, which is presided over by Namkhai Nyinpo Rimpoche. Many have taken shelter under the large tents.
But not everyone is lucky. Some brave the heat outside the tents, though not without umbrellas- big and small, hundreds of them. Colorful umbrellas dot the periphery of the ceremonial ground, highlighting the significance of the event.
Shopkeepers in Gelephuare busy as they deal with an unusual number of customers looking for umbrellas. They are selling like hotcakes.
“The tents are not enough, so people are rushing to buy umbrellas,” said Nirmal Kumar Jain, a shopkeeper.
“Umbrellas don’t sell very often. These days, I can make five to six thousand ngultrum daily by selling them,” said Mani Sarki, Shopkeeper.
There is plenty of sunshine, and the temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius. Many say they cannot manage without umbrellas.
“I could not come early, and the tents were full. I am sitting outside the tents with an umbrella,” said Gyeltshen, a devotee.
“People of all twenty districts are here. The cost of an umbrella has gone up. Last time, it was Nu 2,000, but today I paid Nu 3,000,” said Karma Wangdi, another devotee braving the heat.
“We couldn’t escape the rain, so we had to buy one umbrella from Datgari. The price has increased. It used to cost 200, but now it is 400,” said Kapa, another devotee.
The ceremony will end a week later, with sunny conditions expected to continue. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain over the weekend, which may bring some relief from the heat.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
