Guwahati gears up for new Diwali Mela, small businessmen eyes profit

As the city prepares for Diwali celebration, local shopkeepers and businessmen are eyeing for profits. Guwahati is glitering with lights and festive decors. This year, the city is set to have a new Diwali Mela filled with stalls offering a variety of festive goods.

While speaking of the mela during this festive season, Prabir Kalita, the President of Diwali Mela, Guwahati, told Business North East , “Each stall typically invests between 12 to 15 lakhs and experiences significant foot traffic as Diwali approaches, with last year's sales reaching approximately 25 lakhs."

The wholesale Diwali Mela has been set up at Machkhowa and Bharalu and has attracted much attention from the public. With multiple stalls set up to cater to the community’s festive needs, the mela showcases an array of eco-friendly crackers, including colorful shots, sparklers, and fountains. 

Sonaram Field features six to seven stalls of crackers. However, the number of stalls was reduced due to ongoing construction in the adjoining areas. Speaking of investments, a local stall owner Manab Jyoti Choudhary said, “Each of their stalls has seen an investment of around 8 lakhs, and despite the changes, they expect a strong turnout similar to last year.”

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Meanwhile, Guwahati is home to several cracker manufacturers and retailers, including S.K. Traders, R.K. Fireworks, Jai Maa Fireworks, B.K. Fireworks, and Mohan Fireworks. These companies source their products from major manufacturing hubs like Sivakasi and offer a variety of fireworks during the Diwali season. They typically set up stalls and temporary shops in various markets and public spaces during the festival. These sellers are known for their extensive selection of crackers and fireworks for various celebrations.

Diwali celebrations in Assam involve various activities such as diyas, mithai, singing the aarti, and celebrating with firecrackers. Electric lights are also used to light houses early. Houses are lit with flickering oil lamps and lights, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and fireworks are essential parts of the celebrations. Doorways are decorated with torans and Rangolis, and businesses and families perform chopda pujan, or veneration of their business books. Everyone feasts, shops, and starts new projects or ventures. The festive spirit in Guwahati is palpable, with locals eagerly preparing for the celebrations that mark this important occasion.