I used to work as House Officer in BJ Wadia childrens Hospital, Parel, Mumbai for 3 months. The commute was from Seawoods railway station to Parel station. Onway there is a local market mandi with vegetables , fruits, clothes. Since it was Diwali time , there was soo much diwali shopping and attractions.
During Diwali, homes, streets and public spaces across India are transformed with diyas, rangoli, flowers and lights. But these decorations are not merely for aesthetics—they carry cultural and symbolic meanings.
1. Diyas — the heart of Diwali
Traditional earthen diyas are filled with oil or ghee and lit with a cotton wick.
They symbolise:
Light overcoming darkness
Good overcoming evil
Knowledge overcoming ignorance
Welcoming prosperity and auspiciousness into the home
A traditional diya is usually made from clay, making it biodegradable and closely connected with the earth.
2. Rangoli
Colourful designs are made at entrances using:
Rice flour
Flower petals
Natural or coloured powders
Sand or other materials
Rangoli is traditionally associated with auspiciousness and welcoming guests and deities.
During Diwali, Lakshmi footprints are sometimes drawn from the entrance towards the house, symbolising an invitation for Goddess Lakshmi to enter.
3. Marigold decorations
Marigold (genda) flowers are extremely popular because they are bright, long-lasting and traditionally considered auspicious.
Garlands are used around:
Doors
Puja spaces
Windows
Balconies
4. Toran
A toran or decorative doorway hanging is traditionally placed above the entrance.
Traditional versions use mango leaves and marigold flowers, while modern ones may use fabric, beads, mirrors or artificial flowers.
5. Candles & decorative lights
Modern Diwali decorations increasingly include:
Fairy lights
Lanterns
Candles
LED diyas
Decorative string lights
The widespread use of electric lighting has transformed Diwali from a festival centred mainly around oil lamps into one of India’s most spectacular lighting festivals.
6. Akash Kandil
The colourful Akash Kandil (sky lantern) is particularly associated with Maharashtra.
It is traditionally hung outside homes during Diwali and can be made from paper, bamboo and other lightweight materials.
7. Lakshmi Puja decorations
On Diwali night, homes and businesses are often cleaned and decorated before Lakshmi Puja.
The underlying idea is that a clean, illuminated and welcoming home represents auspiciousness and prosperity.
Interesting modern trend
There is growing interest in eco-friendly Diwali decoration:
Clay diyas instead of plastic lamps
Fresh flowers instead of plastic garlands
Reusable cloth/paper decorations
Energy-efficient LED lights
Natural rangoli colours
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