Even after 50 years, the bond between Bhutani Market and the people of Tripura remains strong, said Sonam Bhutiya who came to Tripura all the way from Bhutan to sell woollen garments.

Every winter, for the past 50 years, the people from Bhutan set up their stalls near Sakuntala Market at Orient Chowmuhani here and hence the market got its name.

The leader of the traders, Sonam Bhutiya, said, “Traditionally my family members were leading such traders from Bhutan for the past 35 to 40 years with woollen clothes. Every year we come with various new items made from Himalayan wool for four months. After my parents, we have taken over the business and I have been visiting Agartala for more than 20 years now.”

Bhutiya said the people of the state and the city helped them grow their business. “It was difficult in the beginning for all of us to continue the business here but slowly it picked up. The clothes that we sell here is for all age groups starting from infants to elderly people,” he told The Telegraph.

Altogether nine families have set up nearly 18 stalls here.

“The price of our products is fixed keeping in mind the concern of the local market. The business was very bad earlier but now it has steadied a bit. The maximum prices we have set on the products are Rs 2,500,” Dawa Dolma, a shop owner, said.

He said in the month of February they all go back and for the next seven months they make woollen items and start designing the clothes for the next season.

Apart from Tripura, the Bhutias have set up shops in Meghalaya, Assam and Sikkim.

Sankar Chandra Deb, who came from Dhalai district, said, “The collection and the quality are very good in Bhutani Market. Every year I come to this market just to buy winter garments. The price is also reasonable.”

Mehagani Dasgupta, a regular at the market, said the difference between the other markets and Bhutani Market is that all woollen items are available at an affordable price under a single roof.

“We have been coming here for more than 15 years,” she said.