Karwa Chauth week witnessed a significant 40% increase in direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales in 2025, driven by the festival’s growing popularity beyond North India. Cities like Bengaluru and Chennai emerged as new hotspots, with sarees, dupattas, and accessories among the top-selling categories, reflecting a pan-India cultural and commercial surge.
The Karwa Chauth festival, traditionally celebrated in North India, is rapidly transforming into a nationwide shopping phenomenon, reflected in a robust 40% rise in D2C sales during the festival week, according to a recent report by GoKwik.
The digital democratization of Karwa Chauth is fueled by Bollywood’s romantic narratives and Instagram’s influencer-driven promotions, breaking regional boundaries and spurring widespread participation. This cultural evolution has resulted in heightened consumer enthusiasm across metros and tier-2 cities alike.
GoKwik’s data highlights that the week of Karwa Chauth in October 2025 experienced a 47% growth in gross merchandise value (GMV) compared to the same period last year. Additionally, states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have entered the top five markets for Karwa Chauth-related e-commerce sales, showcasing the festival’s expanding footprint.
Notable Updates
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Sarees topped the sales charts, followed closely by dupattas and bangles, traditional symbols of the festival.
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Maharashtra retained dominance in overall sales volume, while Karnataka emerged as a strong market for premium sarees and bangles.
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Ritual-specific items such as sindoor, Karwa Chauth chunri, and karwa jal thali saw record online sales during the festival week.
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The report attributes this rise to the synergy of cultural storytelling, social media influence, and increasing disposable incomes among millennials and Gen Z.
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The total business generated by Karwa Chauth celebrations across India is estimated at Rs 28,000 crore, with Delhi alone contributing Rs 8,000 crore.
Major Takeaways
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Karwa Chauth has evolved into a pan-India festive shopping occasion with strong online consumer participation.
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D2C brands that understand regional nuances and cultural cues are best positioned to capitalize on this trend.
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Bollywood’s influence combined with social media has been pivotal in popularizing the festival beyond traditional strongholds.
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The rise in ritual-specific product sales indicates deepening consumer connection with traditional customs.
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Sustained momentum post-Navratri hints at a vibrant festive season e-commerce outlook.
Sources: Economic Times, GoKwik.