Fireworks are off the table in most major shopping hubs in Calcutta, including Burrabazar, Hatibagan, Kumartuli and Ultadanga, this year and colourful lamps in various shapes and sizes, ready-to-make rangoli patterns and candles are out to woo shoppers.
The Telegraph went around the city's shopping hotspots to catch the pulse on the last Sunday before Diwali.
Burrabazar
The pavements of the biggest shopping district in this part of the city were a riot of colours.
Nearly every stall had stocked up on colourful clay lamps, different shades of rangoli colors and decorative items for homes.
On Sunday, Burrabzar was abuzz as shoppers thronged the market to get their hands on the latest designs of earthen lamps, home decor items as well as the quintessential rangoli colours.
Even those shopkeepers who used to stock fireworks have switched to these this year.
Prakash Srivastava, a 35-year-old trader, said he switched to selling colours as well as different items needed to draw rangolis following the high court against the sale of fireworks.
“I had picked up some fireworks but I am not selling them. Rangoli and lamps are hot cakes this year," he said.
From saucer-sized easy-to-use pattern makers to colour-filled rollers, men and women alike were seen picking these up.
“We need something to do now that the fireworks are banned. I have asked all the children in my family to make rangoli patterns on the floors of our house this year,” said Vipin Agarwal, who was out shopping with his daughter Shweta.
Kumartuli
The go-to destination for earthen lamps and candles, Kumartuli this year has churned up newer designs of lamps along with traditional ones.
From large lamps shaped like a house to a set of elephants that have wax candles on their back, the sheer variety of lamps had shoppers in a fix.
Twelve-year-old Aakriti Singh picked up a set of three clay lamps shaped like elephants for Rs 550, while her mother Vidisha picked up three dozen smaller colorful lamps.
“Generally I come here to shop for lamps and other decorative pieces with my friends. However, this year I brought my daughter as she will not be able to go to Bazi Bazaar with her father,” said Aakriti.
Apart from the elephant-shaped ones, lamps that can be hung from doors and windows have turned out to be best sellers, said Bulty Majhi, one of the sellers.
“We made newer designs this year and the response has been quite good,” said Majhi.
Hatibagan
Nearly all the sellers who used to sell fireworks were selling candles, lamps and stickers in Hatibagan on Sunday.
Shoppers were seen making their purchases but most sellers said this year the footfall had gone down. "Had we been selling fireworks, I would not have had the time to talk to you. Our customers are disappointed as well,” said Nimai Sardar, who had stocked up on fireworks but said he stopped selling them after the court ruling.
Most shopkeepers, however, said they expected people to buy more once Diwali draws closer.
“There are a few days left and people will come,” said Bikas Shaw, who has set up a stall that sells everything from lamps to home decor items.