Nagpur: As the Festival of Lights – Diwali — draws closer, Nagpur’s markets are bustling with excited shoppers, eager to buy everything from gold and clothes to decorations and other festive essentials. The vibrant hubs of Orange City are packed with people looking for both traditional and contemporary products, as preparations for Diwali go into full swing.
Shopkeepers have adorned their displays with an array of traditional and fancy lamps, perfect for the Diwali celebration. Roadside stalls and markets are filled with a wide variety of diyas (earthen lamps), catering to the diverse tastes and aesthetics of customers. From simple clay lamps to intricately designed ones, the choices are endless, and the festive mood is palpable. The local stuff has replaced Chinese goods in a big way.
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Saturday 23 Nov. 2024
As always, sweets, or “mithai,” are high on everyone’s shopping list. Sweet shops across the city have transformed their dining spaces into colourful displays, showcasing rows of mouth-watering sweets in all shapes and varieties. Brightly coloured and delicious, these sweets are a staple gift for Diwali and are flying off the shelves as the festival approaches.
While Diwali is traditionally associated with firecrackers, their usage has declined in recent years due to the Supreme Court’s ban and ongoing environmental campaigns. Despite these restrictions, there are still those who believe Diwali is incomplete without the sound and sparkle of firecrackers, and they find ways to celebrate with a limited selection.
Jewellers across Nagpur are particularly hopeful this season, as Dhanteras — an auspicious day for buying gold and jewellery — approaches. With the wedding season just around the corner, many are offering discounted rates, expecting a surge in customers looking to purchase wedding finery and gifts. Malls, too, have jumped into the festive spirit, luring shoppers with enticing offers and huge discount boards outside many stores.
One of the most visually striking aspects of Diwali, Rangoli, is already making its mark. Markets and roadside stalls are displaying vibrant coloured powders, while women across the city are decorating the entrances of their homes with intricate Rangoli designs, often in friendly competition with their neighbours.
With the city fully immersed in the spirit of Diwali, Nagpur’s markets are alive with excitement and joy as the festival draws near.
