Diwali spirit has shoppers opting for quirky decor items in the city

The festival of lights is just round the corner, and Raipur’s streets are wearing a festive look.
The hustle and bustle, glittering lanterns, the aroma of sweets wafting through the air and fragrant flowers — all these beckon shoppers to prepare for Diwali in full swing.
Taking a walk through the city’s markets, here’s what’s new and trending as regards the preparation this Diwali.
Creativity and finesse into house decor
With the annual pre-Diwali house cleaning having begun in many homes, residents are also looking at this as a chance to add some creativity and life to their house interiors. From new curtains in bright hues to royal furniture, many are making the best out of special offers available on home furnishing and décor items available online as well as in city stores. "Many customers are opting for classic wooden and cane work sofas this time. Bright curtains, off-white carpets and wall papers in various colours and designs are in demand too," said Sushant Yadav, owner of a city home décor shop.
Of quirky diyas and fragrant candles
Diwali is never complete without the bright gleam of diyas. And while clay diyas never become passé, city dwellers are also subscribing to innovative and new designs available in paper quilling, metallic and other makes. Hema Sahatya, a city resident, said, "I will be buying clay diyas as per tradition, but I’m looking forward to buying the more colourful variants like glass and acrylic ones for the exterior of my house." Besides these, aromatic candles also seem to be the hottest pick of the season. "The problem with traditional diyas is that they leave an oil stain on the floor. The candle diyas give a pleasant aroma and also do not create much mess. We will hence be opting for these this time," said Shilpi Sahu, a customer. Apart from the diyas, the hottest lanterns on the scene are the Chinese ones, laser lights and those with disco effects.
Special offerings for the Gods
As per tradition, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha will be welcomed and worshipped during Diwali. Inviting these two deities requires special preparations. Offerings of flowers like lotus and marigold are a must. A host of trendy puja thalis and a vast menu of delectable sweets are also being opted for by devotees in the build-up to Diwali. "All-time favourites like gulab jamun and kaju katli are always in demand during Diwali. We are also taking customized orders for special sweets that customers might want and will be open till late at night to cater to the rush," said Debanjan Nayak, a city sweet vendor.
Rangolis galore
With the onset of Dhanteras, rangolis in intricate designs and vibrant colours will adorn house entrances and temple areas. For newer designs this Diwali, vendors are selling a host of rangoli powders in various colours and textures. "Apart from the regular colours, flower petals and bangle pieces are also available for use in rangolis this time. Many larger households also hire professional artists to design their festive rangolis. And for those who don’t have much time, stencils and sticker rangolis are always the go-to option," said Maahi Kiran, a rangoli enthusiast.