Come Diwali and the market place is decked up like a bride. The exuberance of shiny streamers of all shapes and sizes, soaked in bright colours were resting on roadside stands, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their potential buyers. A few customers merely touched, opened those itsy-bitsy creations, changed sides, checked their fall and kept it back in the stall. Chandeliers, paper lanterns, wall hangings painted in silver, gold and brass lit the whole space. The mandatory ‘Shubh Deepawali’ wall hanging put up at home’s entrance was neatly placed alongside hand-painted diyas and other art decorations. Scintillating lights sparkled these artistic wonders ten-folds when visited during the evening. Around this time of the year, any shopping place turns into Diwali Square, says Priyanka, describing a marketplace, as part of the special feature on Diwali, exclusively for Different Truths.

Each year Diwali’s electrifying decorations adorn market spaces like a bride. Embellished with myriad hues, the festival of light kick starts competitive fever amongst commercial hubs to exhibit heaps of sweets, glittering gifts and neon lights.

I decided to tour the famous old market in Faridabad to taste the slice of this year’s Diwali decorations. As I approached the market, I got excited like a toddler throwing curious glances at the visual grandstand. On our way to the market, my mother and I went on a rickshaw. However, having failed to partake into the festive mood of the grandeur at the display (as the rickshaw moved way too fast for us to savour the spread out fanfare), we decided to walk back on our return.

The rickshaw ride was like a trailer of a beautiful movie, which was to unfold layer by layer after we alighted. Jostling for space in the commercial sphere, we started with window shopping at emblazoned corners which were extended from small shops to showcase Diwali extravaganza.

The exuberance of shiny streamers of all shapes and sizes (diagonal, square, rectangle, oblong, 
nd circular), soaked in bright colours were resting on roadside stands, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their potential buyers. A few customers merely touched, opened those bitsy creations, changed sides, checked their fall and kept it back in the stall. Others picked up those tiny marvels at first instance.

Chandeliers, paper lanterns, wall hangings painted in silver, gold and brass lit the whole space. The mandatory ‘Shubh Deepawali’ wall hanging put up at home’s entrance was neatly placed alongside hand-painted diyas and other art decorations. Scintillating lights sparkled these artistic wonders ten-folds when visited during the evening. Around this time of the year, any shopping place turns into Diwali Square, buzzing with people round-the- clock.

Splash of orange, ounce of red, sprinkled with some magenta welcomed me to the stalls of Rangoli sellers, who patiently sat on ground marketing the colourful bonanza. The bedecked spectacle was like a colourful picture floating aimlessly in a surreal island.

Many stalls had also put up heaps of traditional Kheel and batasha; every Diwali my mother bought this sweet unfailingly for

Lakshmi Pooja. On the Dhanteras occasion, not even a single corner was without customers. It was as if everything and anything are bought by people.

Noticeably, this year the buzz was more about clothes, sweets, gifts and colours than crackers. Diwali lights sang a fusion song when fell on shrubs in my patio piercing the dormant leaves and creating a Rainbow of Lights at nightfall. Truly, a wonder in a year! I secretly wished if Diwali could be celebrated throughout the year. Then, one would feel high energy and sail through these serene sights of abundance every day. Air, too, will be jazzed up all days.

The scent of misty air beckons the arrival of winters now.

©Priyanka Chauhan

Pix from the Net.

Priyanka Chauhan

Priyanka Chauhan is an English Literature graduate and later did her MA in English from Delhi University. She studied Print Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Having worked with PTI, her articles have featured in The Times of India, PTI, The Hindu, Woman’s Era magazine. She is an ardent reader and a writer at heart. Her greatest achievement is being a full-time mother to her little son.