Rudraksha Cultivation Becomes Major Income Source for Farmers in Bhojpur

Bhojpur. Rudraksha cultivation has become a strong source of income for farmers in Bhojpur. Especially in the Dingla region, most people have adopted Rudraksha as their main source of income. Farmers here are earning lakhs from the sale of Rudraksha.

According to Manoj Chapagain, Central President of the Rudraksha Traders Association, transactions from Rudraksha in Bhojpur bring in around NPR 1 billion annually. He stated that farmers can gain substantial financial benefits from it because Rudraksha with good quality, size, and rare 'mukhis' (faces) fetch extremely high prices.

According to President Chapagain, a single bead of a 21-mukhi Rudraksha of good size can sell for NPR 5.5 million to NPR 6 million per piece. The 'mukhi' of a Rudraksha is determined by the natural lines or ridges visible on it. Generally, beads with eight to 29 mukhis are considered 'mukhi' Rudraksha. According to traders, the higher the number of mukhis, the rarer and more valuable the Rudraksha is considered, leading to correspondingly high market prices.

President Chapagain informed that a 29-mukhi Rudraksha was found this year in the Dingla region. Since a 29-mukhi Rudraksha is considered rare, its price is very high. Due to its religious and spiritual significance, the demand for such rare Rudraksha is high not only domestically but also abroad. He mentioned that farmers in Dingla earn a minimum of NPR 100,000 to a maximum of NPR 5 million annually from Rudraksha. According to President Chapagain, approximately 2.1 million kilograms of Rudraksha were sold from Bhojpur last year alone.

“About 600,000 kilograms of Rudraksha were exported to China. The remaining figure is for export to India,” he said.

The price of Rudraksha is determined based on its mukhi, weight, size, quality, and rarity. Beads with good size, clear mukhis, and fewer defects command higher market prices. The Rudraksha Traders Association stated that about 30,000 to 40,000 farmers in Bhojpur are directly or indirectly involved in Rudraksha cultivation.

Traders from China even visit homes to purchase Rudraksha produced by farmers in the Dingla region. Although this area produces a large quantity of Rudraksha, its primary initial markets are Khandbari and Tumlingtar in Sankhuwasabha. Farmers in these areas take the Rudraksha they produce to those markets for sale. From Khandbari, Rudraksha is exported to various districts in the Terai, Kathmandu, as well as to China and India. Traders say that demand for Nepali Rudraksha has recently been increasing in countries like Europe and America as well.

Historically, the cultivation of Rudraksha in Bhojpur is considered very old. Locals say that before 1932 BS, Balaguru Shadananda Adhikari brought saplings from Kashi, India, and planted them in the Dingla region. Since then, its expansion has gradually occurred here. Currently, the Dingla region of Bhojpur is known as Nepal's major Rudraksha production center.

Rudraksha also holds special religious and spiritual significance. Hindus consider Rudraksha a sacred object associated with Lord Shiva. Therefore, it is used in worship, rosaries, and various religious rituals. Generally, black-colored Rudraksha is considered the best. This refers to beads where a thread can be passed through without drilling a hole. Such naturally formed beads are rare and thus command a high price.

Rudraksha cultivation is widespread in areas like Nepaledanda, Kudakaaule, Deurali, Mulpani, Keurenipani, etc., under Shadananda Municipality in Bhojpur. Furthermore, production is increasing in various other parts of the district. However, farmers are also facing problems alongside Rudraksha cultivation. Farmers complain that issues like the theft of good quality beads and the cutting down of Rudraksha trees are increasing. Locals believe that if proper conservation, market management, and promotion are undertaken, Rudraksha farming can become even more profitable. With appropriate conservation, market management, and promotion, Rudraksha will play a significant role in improving the economic condition of farmers in Bhojpur.