BENGALURU: The festival of lights is no longer bound by religion in namma Bengaluru, a thorough scan of one of the popular
Diwali shopping markets in the city revealed.
People from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds were spotted in Shivajinagar area on Monday, Diwali eve, hopping from store to store in search of diyas, crackers,
rangoli
, and fancy lights and decorations for their homes.
It is not only festival celebrations but also the sale of these special festival items that has now become a multicultural affair, confirmed shopkeepers.
“The festival season between Navaratri and Diwali is best known for large-scale street shopping, and people buy decorations not only for their own homes but also as gifts, thus, customers are from all religions.
“We have stocked up on Diwali lamps, lanterns, wall hangings and other special decorations,” said Fayaz Ahmed, who runs S F Deen Store in the area.
“Celebrations and the business of festivals are not limited to people from a particular religion any more. While it is diyas and lamps during Diwali, in a few days, we will be selling fancy stars and miniature Christmas trees,” said Faizam Mohammed, another shop owner.
Shopkeepers, however, pointed out how business has been dull this year — be it in the case of sound and firecrackers or diyas and decoration items. Although many cracker shop owners have sourced bulk loads of Diwali firecrackers, mainly from
Sivakasi area, there is not much demand for them, said traders.
“Every year, corporates buy decorations and lamps in bulk from us. This year, business from individuals as well as corporates has been extremely dull — we have hardly received any orders from companies or businesses. The demand, in general, has gone down this year,” said Usman, from AP Francis shop.
Start a Conversation
Post comment