New Delhi: Bhagirath Palace, India’s largest wholesale market for Diwali lights, has switched on. The rain last week had dimmed its flicker a bit, but the crowds and the energy are back. The market caters to all of north India, including the big markets in Delhi, like Tilak Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Ashok Vihar, Mubarakpur and many others. Shopkeepers adjusted rows of twinkling bulbs on Wednesday as swarms of buyers descended, all looking for the perfect festive sparkle for their homes. This could mean buying cheaper Chinese lights, if the budget did not permit a costlier Indian lamp. Caught in the rush was Nipun Singh, whose family has run a shop here for 60 years. This year, he displayed his new range of LED diyas and kalash-shaped lights. “It’s a huge hit with new generation homemakers. They want something traditional but without the hassle of oil diyas,” he said. “Even youngsters living away from home love these. The lamps don’t require much effort, yet keep the festive feel alive.” That doesn’t mean that traditional lamps had no takers. Rows of earthen diyas and colourful candles lined several stalls, painted in bright hues or shaped as small Ganeshas. Priya Maurya, browsing through the designs, said she was looking for something “authentic, yet unique.” Shopkeeper Satish Sharma, who’s selling diyas and imported fairy lights, said that “fans of authenticity still prefer clay diyas with new designs”. Then he added: “I’m not just talking about the older generation.” Despite a vocal-for-local push, Chinese lights are hard to miss at Bhagirath Palace. Traders said that the difference in quality and variety kept these imported goods in demand. “Even if the lights are made here, we still depend on China for cheaper raw materials,” said Arvind Khuranna, who has run his family-owned shop for 50 years. “Here, manpower is costly. We want to promote local products, but low profit margins discourage us.” Ajay Sharma, the president of the Delhi Electrical Traders Association, pointed out that while policymakers encourage the use of swadeshi goods, they overlook the ground realities. “If they simply arrange for subsidy-like benefits, it encourages us to sell Indian products. That way, the higher costs can be offset,” he said. Among the crowd of customers was Sanchit Agarwal, who came shopping with his friends. He was drawn to the beauty of the lights, not so much their durability. Holding a string of rose-shaped lights, he said, “I understand these will last two seasons at best. But that’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? Next year, something better will trend.” Bhagirath Palace is where old and new styles meet every Diwali, where contrasts are welcome.
