Ananya admires candles on offer at Landmark; (below) diyas on display. Pictures by Rashbehari Das

From earthen diyas in traditional shapes to designer candles with exotic aroma, there’s no end to the variety of wax and wick wonders that promise to duel the dark.

With a day to go for the festival of lights, it’s time to fill up your space with lights, lights and more lights. GoodLife goes Diwali shopping.

Candles

Candles at Nik-Nish come in various shapes — Christmas trees, stars, crackers and explosives. The large ones boast three-to-four-hour durability. Handmade candles shaped like fruits such as orange, apple, lemon and mango boast the colour and aroma of the specific fruit. There are some candles designed with images of Ganesh, Swastika, Om, Shree and other religious symbols.

oating candles seem to be the rage this season, in different hues and shapes like flower, ice-cream and more. Some are placed inside aluminium moulds, fruit baskets, crafted wooden boxes and coconut shells.

“We decided to do away with the block candles that come in every year and go for something different. Small candles in aluminium moulds don’t stain the floor and are less messy,” says Gautam Jatia, CEO of Landmark.

The Lord Sinha Road store boasts quite a collection of imported, scented floating flower candles priced between Rs 15 and Rs 49.

Giggles on Park Street has a wide selection of designs like mocktails, flower candles atop fish-shaped coconut shells, snails, shoes, balls and watermelons. Bedecked with sparkles and available in vibrant hues of pink, orange, red, green and blue, most are perfumed. These are available in pretty sets of two or three.

Gel candles last longer than their wax counterparts and the drip-free factor is a bonus. At Pantaloons, the range is not elaborate but serves the purpose. Translucent in nature, the base of gel candles are adorned with tiny shells, coloured stones, sea-horses and thermocole fruits, and take the shape of long cylindrical glasses or champagne bottles. They are priced between Rs 25 and Rs 150.

Diwali platters with candles, kapur, Gangajal, haldi, an idol and other puja items are also available.

Diyas

Nothing seems to match the festive appeal of the traditional earthen diya, with ghee as fuel and cotton wool as wick. The market is flooded with diyas, starting from Rs 2 and going into the thousands.

At Landmark, artistically crafted in leaf pattern, diyas are adorned with coloured kundan beads. Ganesha earthen diyas, shankh-shape terracotta wax diyas with auspicious threads, mirrors and ghungroos are popular picks.

Giant clay ornamental diya holders at Nik-Nish and Landmark are a new entry this year. With space to hold 21 to 50 diyas, they are just right for the entrance.

“Like Christmas trees, they can be re-packed into boxes and used next year,” said a shopper at Landmark. They are priced between Rs 1,400 and Rs 4,000.

Lanterns and figurines of lehnga-clad women holding diyas are interesting decor pieces at Nik-Nish.

Lamps

While most people still opt for traditional forms, others invest in electrical lighting that lasts. Mahal Lampshades on AJC Bose Road has introduced a new collection of illumination this Diwali. Wall-mounted lights, chandeliers, children’s lights with cartoon motifs, hanging shades, lanterns and floor lamps are only a few of the lights on offer. A finish with Swarovski crystals gives the lamps a designer look.

At Giggles on Park Street, electrical lights in shapes of fruits are also in stock. Prices of these bulb chains start from Rs 110.