Nagpur markets buzz ahead of Diwali as floating diyas and LED lights sell briskly

As Diwali draws near, shopping is picking up in the major markets of Nagpur, the Orange City. The festive mood has fully set in at Sitabuldi, Itwari, Mahal, Sakkardara, Sadar, Jaripatka, Kamal Chowk and Dharampeth. People have set out to buy items to decorate their homes, shops and corporate offices.

Both traditional and new decorative items are in demand this year, and shops are seeing a steady stream of customers.

Multi-colour and single-colour string lights of 10 to 50 metres are selling well for decorating outer walls and balconies. Remote-controlled smart pixel lights and curtain lights are drawing the most customers for offices and high-rise buildings.

Among diyas, apart from ordinary clay diyas, hand-painted terracotta diyas from Gujarat and Rajasthan and magic floating diyas are also finding favour. Demand has also risen for 3-tier and 5-tier brass and metal floating diya stands for living rooms and reception areas.

At IT parks, commercial complexes and showrooms in the city, decoration this year follows "ethnic royal beam" and "minimalistic LED" themes. For corporate offices, large hanging lanterns, LED backlight strips and artificial flower walls are in the greatest demand.

In rangoli, acrylic rangoli plates with kundan and stones are popular, as buyers look to save time and reuse them. Stickers for the doorway, including Shubh Labh, Goddess Lakshmi's footprints and attractive 3D floral designs, are also being bought in large numbers.

Promoting a plastic-free Diwali, traditional round and octagonal lanterns made of cloth, jute and handmade paper are also in vogue in Nagpur district. Modern foldable lanterns that are easy to assemble are selling heavily for flats and offices.

Demand for toran for the main gate is also good. Grand toran made with bholis, brass bells and gota work remain people's first choice. For decoration inside offices and homes, reusable velvet marigold flowers and jasmine strings that look real are in strong demand.

Rajesh Agrawal, who sells decorative goods, said: "The enthusiasm in the market looks greater this time than last year. People are buying modern and attractive LED lighting in large numbers along with traditional diyas, and sales have jumped sharply in just the early days."

Trader Santosh Jha said: "Demand is highest this time for designer bandanwar, artificial flowers and lanterns to decorate offices and homes. Seeing the growing crowds of customers, we hope business will break all earlier records this festive season."