JOIN USFairy lights add glitter to Chandni Chowk
Festivity in the air, chaos, crowd and confusion around are no deterrent to eager shoppers heading with single-minded purpose to Bhagirath Palace, only half-a-kilometre away from the Red Fort in Chandni Chowk.
The wholesale market of lights and lighting equipments is flooded with all kinds of goodies, from Chinese to local, luring the frenzied shopping spree. In between the permanent shops on the either side of the road, are small retailers too, who too are hoping to cash in on the festive fervour and do some good business. Amidst all the chaos, you hear the shopkeepers shout out a warning, Apni pocket ka dhyan rakhein (Beware of pickpockets). One can easily lose oneself in this hustle and bustle.
People carrying huge bags or some even empty handed, women lugging their buys of the day, their children tagging along, are unmindful of the chaos that abounds. They only need the best lights that would make all the difference this festive season. Blinking lights in the form of ladis, magic flower balls with 650 bulbs, a bunch of sparkling flowers and flower vines with coloured lights and ladiyan with diyas and candle lights -– all have made their way to shops in these lanes.
Decorative lights with designed like a long string of big flowers, along with magic balls have always been everyone’s favourite. From fancy, single-coloured flare lights to multicoloured in different length, diya and flower shaped, small chandeliers, colourful decorative tubes and bulbs, the Bhagirath Palace is a proven one stop shop for everything in lights that you are looking for.
The most sought-after items are the flower shaped lighting equipment. This Chinese item, sold in the range of Rs 400-500, is like a three-foot-long flower stem with bulbs fitted between each flower and arranged across the length. Besides, multicoloured decorative tubes in different lengths, cloth lamps in all sizes and colours are attractive items luring customers.
Another, interesting thing that has hit the market this year is the ‘Make-a-wish Balloon’. The sky lantern is widely seen in Hollywood and Bollywood movies these days. Despite the huge rush, that makes one stagger every second, Metrolife managed to speak to one of the shopkeepers. “One balloon costs Rs 40. If you buy a pack of 10 balloons it will be cheaper,” he says. So, what are you waiting for?