For young urban households, Dhanteras shopping is no longer limited to gold coins, silver utensils or a quick visit to the jewellery store. This year, festive buying is getting a thoughtful, design-forward makeover, with elevated puja essentials finding pride of place in modern homes. Hand-cast brass diyas, marble incense holders, carved wooden chowkis, ceramic kumkum boxes, linen aasan sets and hand-painted thalis are emerging as popular choices among young shoppers who want tradition to feel personal, useful and, yes, Instagram-worthy.
A hand-cast brass diya or a ceramic kumkum box feels more personal than buying generic festive decor every year,” says Diya Singh, a 29-year-old banker. ‘Choosing pieces we’ll actually use every festive season’ “I wanted puja pieces that feel traditional but still match my home. “Hand-cast brass and hand-painted thalis have small variations that make each piece unique. Customers increasingly appreciate that handmade character,” adds Sanjay Kumar, an artisan.