Trends over Tradition?

Diwali, or the festival of lights is just around the corner and with no time at hand, people are wrapping up all the ongoing preparations and are ready to don their festive hats. 

Diwali, being that time of the year when people, in an attempt to impress their kin, end up spending all of their savings on gifts and home décor items. This habit has become trendier and unconventional with time. 

With easy and quick fixes such as e-cards, e-gifts, namkeen over meetha, chocolate baskets/hampers instead of sweets, earthen diyas over LED-diyas and lights, readymade rangoli design cut-outs etc, people nowadays, instead of being confined to traditional celebrations, prefer going over the edge and do something different each time they celebrate Diwali.  

A shopkeeper selling diyas and rangoli designs in south Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar, said, “With the onset of LED diyas, the demand for earthen diyas has decreased but not vanished. People, who still like celebrating Diwali the conventional way, opt for earthen diyas and they buy in bulk, so eventually the sale is not affected.”

While talking about Diwali celebrations, how can shopping, which is the best part of Diwali, be sidelined. Along with markets that are flooded with home décor items, gift items, apparels, accessories and other goodies, the online shopping portals too have seized the opportunity to lure customers through Diwali sales and offers. People are also exploring the varied gifting options, which is a result of transition. 

Anurita Chopra, Director, Marketing- Personal Care, Philips India said, “In line with the changing lifestyles of people, Philips India offers a range of products that make healthier living very easy. Festive season is the best time to pamper yourself and your loved ones with products that bring meaningful change to your lives.”

Another fast growing trend, card parties or gambling during Diwali, aims to captivate gamblers as well as non-gamblers, who keep everything at stake in order to win. 

This trend however has a rather vague yet fascinating belief attached to it. It is said that once Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva during Diwali night and she declared that those who will play dice on this day shall be blessed with good fortune throughout the year. Hence, it is considered ‘auspicious’ to play cards on Diwali. Well that pretty much settles for a good excuse for the Casino Royale fans, who wish to try their hands at some poker expecting to make some quick cash during the festival. Apart from clubs and casinos, private card parties are also favourite amongst people during Diwali.

Apart from clubs and casinos, restaurants in Delhi too have started their preparations for Diwali. From launching variety of cuisines to organising Diwali- special events, they have a lot on offer to make the customer’s dining experience a memorable one.  

Mafia, a newly opened lounge and bar at Punjabi Bagh brings out some exotic cocktail recipes to suit the festive induced spirits of Delhiites. 

Umang Garg, owner of Mafia, said, “The cocktails for Diwali are given a little twist to add frizzy fun to the festival and also keeping in mind the taste buds of teetotallers. Diwali always brings with it a new aroma of celebration and so the décor and ambience highlights the spirit of the celebration that lightens up the beauty of goodness.”  So, trend or tradition, Diwali is finally here and it’s time to let your hair down and have some fun!