Pune: From the bustling lanes of the old city to the modern corridors of malls, the city is currently witnessing a festive shopping frenzy as residents prepare for Diwali. Pune markets are abuzz this week with shoppers flocking to popular areas like Laxmi Road, Tulshi Baug and the Peth areas to buy traditional lanterns, torans, diyas and decorative lights. At the same time, organized exhibitions and pop-up fairs across the city offer new opportunities for festival preparations. In Tapkir Galli, known for its dazzling displays, vendors have decked every nook and corner with LED fairy lights, paper lanterns and various decorative lights. “I wanted to buy regular fairy lights but was intrigued by the new technology involved in such decorative lights,” said Radhika Deshpande of Hadapsar. “I purchased a set of lights that connect to WiFi and allow me to change the colors, patterns and intensity via an app.” Shop owners reported a growing demand for technology-enabled and practical decorating options. Rameshwar Sathe, a shopkeeper from Budhwar Peth, said, “Many even buy LED diyas. People with small children or pets at home prefer these over traditional oil-filled diyas for safety and convenience reasons.” In Kumbharwada, potters work tirelessly late into the night to meet the demand for miniature forts, figurines, clay lamps and other traditional items essential for Diwali decorations. Meena Kulkarni from Shivajinagar said, “We bought a fort-like structure a few years ago and every year we add new characters and create new scenes as we build it for Diwali.”The festive shopping frenzy extends beyond the Old City: in areas like MG Road, Aundh, Baner and Kondhwa, home furnishing stores are busy selling pre-packaged fairy lights, lanterns and home furnishings. The surge in activity has caused routine traffic congestion around key market areas in the old city, prompting authorities to reopen the Bhide Bridge to vehicles from October 11 to ease traffic. A key trend observed this year is the strong preference for locally made products. Pradeep Mhaske, a gift shop owner from Kondhwa, said, “In the last five years, there has been a growing demand for made-in-India products.” Nowadays we don't even have Chinese made stock anymore. Although cheaper, citizens are more environmentally conscious and prefer locally made eco-friendly items for decoration purposes or gifts.” Kunal Borkar, a vendor selling festive items on Tilak Road, confirmed this shift: “Paper lanterns and fabric torans are selling better than PVC and plastic items. This year, traditional patterns are popular and we are not getting Chinese lanterns.” Sales are good, but rain can ruin stocks.” This Diwali festival in Pune thrives on a blend of cherished traditions and modern innovations. While the historic lanes remain central to festive trade, exhibitions and online platforms are expanding their reach. For Pune citizens, the Diwali shopping rush is not just about brightening up their homes; It's also about celebrating heritage and supporting local artisans.
From historic lanes to modern malls, Pune is teeming with Diwali shoppers | Pune News
