What is the trend in Kolkata's Diwali market this year?

Kolkata's Diwali market has seen a significant shift towards locally-made candles, diyas, and handcrafted clay decorations, with buyers overwhelmingly opting for these indigenous products over the previously popular Chinese imports.

How have local artisans in Kolkata benefited from the change in consumer preferences?

Local artisans and manufacturers in Kolkata have experienced a huge surge in demand for their handmade Diwali products, with one seller, Aramita Chouwdhury, reporting "unpredictable sales that I never expected" and the "most hectic" period since entering the field four years ago.

Why are Kolkata buyers preferring handmade local diyas over Chinese products?

Kolkata buyers are choosing handmade local diyas over Chinese imports due to the superior quality and innovation of the indigenous products, which are seen as more durable and longer-lasting compared to the quickly-burning Chinese alternatives.

Home / Lifestyle / Kolkata Buyers Ditch Chinese Diyas for Handmade Local Alternatives

Kolkata Buyers Ditch Chinese Diyas for Handmade Local Alternatives

20 Oct

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Summary

Huge demand for indigenous candles, diyas, and handmade clay diyas
Chinese items losing popularity as buyers opt for products made by local artisans
Handmade diyas seen as better quality and longer-lasting than Chinese counterparts

Kolkata Buyers Ditch Chinese Diyas for Handmade Local Alternatives

As of October 20th, 2025, Kolkata's Diwali markets have witnessed a remarkable shift in consumer preferences, with a significant surge in demand for locally-made candles, diyas, and handcrafted clay diyas. This trend marks a stark contrast to the previous years, when Chinese-made items were the dominant choice among buyers.

Several traders in the city's Janbazar market have reported that even when they had stocks of Chinese lights and tea-lights, customers were actively seeking out handmade local diyas, often refusing to purchase the Chinese products. One seller, Sameer Sarkar, noted, "Surprisingly, most of the buyers are searching for handmade diyas while the highly popular Chinese products are being kept aside as most of them refuse to buy them."