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A Safe and Glittering Diwali: Businessmen witness increase in sales during the 'Festival of Lights'

All most all big markets including Dadar market was seen flooded with buyers on an overdrive of frenzied shopping. Alonside, large Diwali bazaars were sprung up in different localities including Swami Samarth Nagar (Lokhandwala Complex) in Andheri West

A Safe and Glittering Diwali: Businessmen witness increase in sales during the 'Festival of Lights'
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Although due to the soaring prices and inclement weather, the spirit of Diwali, a five-day "Festival of Lights", was dampened to some extent, the festivities went on in full swing, with markets crowded with people to buy flowers, sweets, garments and decorative material.

All most all big markets including Dadar market was seen flooded with buyers on an overdrive of frenzied shopping. The fruit market in Navi Mumbai recorded a sale of over 650 MT dry fruit in the few days preceding Diwali. Similarly, the turn over of flower sale was about 150 MT every day in the adjoining flower market.

Heavy crowds were seen in Kandil (lantern) Galli located at Mahim in Central Mumbai. This famous market located at Lady Jamshedji Road near Citylight is also accessible from Matunga station (Both in West). Mahim lantern market is not limited to selling Kandils alone,  but the entire lane, shops and pavements were littered with superb collections of other Diwali products like ready Rangoli kits, Rangoli Colours and Geru and Colourful lighting series.

Brisk business was also witnessed at the ‘Kadri Wadi’, Mahim, known for huge kandils ranging from 3.5 square feet to 12 feet big. At Kadri wadi, lantern making is done for the last 50 years. Cost of this lanterns is typically calculated on the square feet, i.e, if it is five feet, is approximately cost about ₹5,000 (i.e ₹1,000 per square feet).

This particular lane is very famous as it is one of the very few locations in the city dedicated selling kandils in such a huge and varieties, for the price range of Rs.100 to Rs.5000. Kawli Wadi chawl has about 90 residents and about 70 of them are in lantern business.

The 75-year-old “ Saadighar” (House of saris), located at Dadar West,  selling the Diwali lanterns made of saree, nearly doubled its sale this year. Its sale shot from saree lanterns to 1,000 lanterns.

The price of the 10-gram gold (24 carats) shot up to ₹39,450 on Dhan Teras day affecting the sale to some extent. Subsequently, the price came down to ₹38,710. The sale of silver also came down this year.

Vikram Samvat 2076 ended on a positive note at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex on Laxmi Pooja day. The benchmark index rose by 339.31 points to 39,397.37 in early trade. Whereas it closed at 192.14 points at 39,250.20. The NSE ended at 11,628 rising by 44.10 points and registered

However, the sale of automobiles reached a peak when MG Motor created a record of sorts by delivering 700 units of the MG Hector on Dhanteras. In Delhi-NCR, MG delivered 200 units of the Hector from a single point, making it one of the largest vehicle delivery events on auspicious Dhanteras day.

Large Diwali bazaars were sprung up in different localities including Swami Samarth Nagar (Lokhandwala Complex) in Andheri West, selling everything from jewellery to garments and puja items. Every 5 meters along the half km stretch there are vendors with piles of marigold flowers, colourful lamps adorned with lace, beads and stones, ornate rangoli dies and powder.

Besides, a host of mehndi artists who came from Bhayander, Nalasopara and adjoining areas had set up makeshifts stalls right on the road. Since these artists offer services at relatively cheaper rates, they are in great demand during festivals including Diwali and Karwa Chauth.

However, with the imposition of stringent rules on sale and use of firecrackers by the Supreme Court, the annual sale of firecrackers which was ₹15,000-20,000 crore, came down to a large extent. Besides, the High Court restrictions to burst firecrackers between 8 PM and 10 PM was another impediment. Yet there was a demand for eco-friendly firecrackers.

In keeping with age-old tradition, some of the housing colonies have organised “Killa Pradarshan” (an exhibition in which a replica of the fort is made. Besides an attempt is also being made to show modern-day infrastructure like railway, bridges etc alongside) on the occasion of  Diwali. These exhibitions will be on till “Tulsi Vivah”. The Safalya Society located at Curry Road in South Central Mumbai has erected a huge replica of the Raigad Fort, which is attracting huge crowds.

In the famous Pandharpur shrine in Solapur, the idols of Lord Vithoba and goddess Rukmini has gaily decorated on the occasion of Diwali.

The Adivasis began Diwali celebrations, with the presentation of Tarpa dance in the compound of Thane district collectorate on “Vasu Baras” day. The dance is being performed every year in memory of freedom fighter Raghoji Bhangre annually by “Adivasi Warli Samajseva Mandal”. The Mandal president Dattatreya Bhuyal said that the tradition would continue.

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