Diwali Melas add colour to festive season

Come Diwali and the city gets all decked up playing host to the much awaited "Diwali Melas" in town. With several melas lined up promising fun and exuberance, it's time to make the most of the season.
Be it the time-tested Sunder Nagar Mela, a shoppers delight at Select Citywalk Diwali Bazaar, the colorful handcrafted festive celebration at Dastkar or the all time hit Blind School Mela - all add a spark to the festive season.
One of the city's longest running melas (over 50 eyars old) -- the Sunder Nagar mela, scheduled to begin on November 7, has everything from fun ridden Ferris wheel rides, a plethora of games to shopping and eating options. This two-day jamboree has been a favorite of many since time immemorial.

The Blind Relief Association's 'Diwali Bazaar' which commences on November 2 is also a highly anticipated event. With over 200 stalls selling a wide range of traditional crafts and home decor among other diverse gift items, the six-day fair will also features a 'Pop-up Food' court offering varieties of vegetarian cuisine.
"We expect 5000 people a day in our mela. Our event is for a noble cause and people respect that. Also, this time we are providing free space to 90-odd NGOs to sell their products and make aware people of their services," says the executive secretary of Blind Relief Association, K C Pande.

On the other hand, for those who love handmade goods, Dastkar's 'Festival of Lights' offers hand crafted products from traditions across the country ranging from terracotta jewelry to lamps and diyas. Exciting cultural performances from Haryana and appetizing delicacies of various states are the add on features lined up in the mela.
"For us, it's always getting the best of craftsmen work out for the public and telling how diverse our culture is. As it's a Diwali bazaar, we have gifting items like organic candles and home decor along with other natural products," says chairperson of Dastkar Laila Tyabji.
The 10-day carnival concludes on November 2.