From festive shopping to home makeovers: India gears up for Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is India’s biggest and most significant event of the year. Celebrated with a lot of gusto and gifts, the five-day Diwali festival heralds prosperity and happiness. It’s

Oct 11, 2018, 11:08 IST6 min

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Lately, lanterns and fairy lights, mostly imports from China have seen enthusiastic buyers, keen on their variety, design innovation, and affordable prices.

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The earthen lamps, as old as the festival itself, is a massive cottage industry in India. Here, a potter colours the earthen lamps before despatching them to the local market in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa.

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A stockbroker, with his family gathered around him, trades during a special "mahurat" trading session, on the occasion of Diwali, at the BSE in Mumbai. The annual ceremonial session is held on Diwali every year, to mark the beginning of the Hindu Samvat Year 2074.

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Indian businessmen pray in front of their record-keeping books as a part of a ritual, called "Choopda poojan", which literally means worshiping the (account) books. The relevance is to worship the Hindu deity of wealth, Lakshmi, on Diwali. The ritual marks the beginning of the new trading year for the Gujarati community.

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The shopping malls in Indian metros have a challenge ahead of them, as the heavy discounting by online retailers will be a major draw for the Diwali shoppers who look to buy new clothes and gifts for the occasion.

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Swedish furniture and furnishing giant IKEA’s presence, with their first store opening in Hyderabad and many more planned in major cities, have raised a competitive anticipation among the e-tailers.

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Amazon India showcased a first-of-its-kind ‘Amazon Festive Home’ in New Delhi. The entire apartment space, over two floors, displays ideas for a home makeover, with every product displayed available for sale on Amazon India.

Image by Madhu Kapparath

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It’s a shopping tour for a homemaker - From quirky wallpaper to garden accessories, from chic home décor to geeky gadgets, latest smartphones and Alexa-controlled smart lighting, TV and appliances from traditional handlooms to modern murals from home appliances to recliners from apparel to luxury beauty products.

Image by Madhu Kapparath

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Interior designers Amber Singh Tikari and Preeti Subhash, have given each room a theme-based décor. While the Family Lounge has a contemporary Indo-Western look, the ethnic and artsy Drawing Room decorated with original Tanjore paintings reflects Indian tradition and culture. And for those who love nature, the home showcases a pretty little garden furnished with live plants, fresh flowers

Image by Madhu Kapparath

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Along with the Festive Home, Amazon India has also launched three new Echo devices. The Echo transforms the Amazon Festive Home into a smart home with Alexa controlling the lights, TVs, AC, doors and more. In addition, Amazon Devices also showcased Alexa controlled IR remote to control the TV with voice. A host of third-party, Alexa-enabled devices including Harman Kardon Allure, Jabra El

Image by Madhu Kapparath