Kolkata: With Diwali and Kali Puja just a week away, Kolkata’s markets witnessed a festive shopping rush on Sunday, the last Sunday before the twin celebrations. From the crowded lanes of Burrabazar to the lighting markets of Ezra Street and Chandni, shoppers made the most of the weekend to stock up on puja essentials, earthen diyas, decorative lights, clothes and other festive items.Sunday’s shopping rush offered a glimpse of the festive fervour gripping the city, as markets and businesses geared up for one of the busiest periods of the year.Burrabazar was abuzz with shoppers, with families arriving from different parts of the city to buy everything needed for the festivities. From puja essentials and dresses for the idols to lights, diyas, dry fruits and clothes, the market catered to a wide range of festive requirements. The special Diwali market on Kalakar Street, which comes up every year ahead of the festival, was also a major draw. Stalls selling everything from decorative lights and diyas to small idols attracted shoppers throughout the day.Areas around Nutan bazaar on Rabindra Sarani turned into a hub for earthen diyas and candles. Families thronged the shops to purchase traditional lamps, with prices ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 100.“Soon after Durga Puja is over, most of the shops in the area start selling diyas and candles for Kali Puja. From a single piece to a pack of a dozen, people can buy any number of diyas,” said Pulak Ghosh, a shop owner in the area.“It is a tradition to light diyas on Diwali, and we buy them from this area every year,” said Himanshu Roy, a resident of Tara Chand Dutt Street.The lighting markets of Ezra Street and Chandni attracted some of the biggest crowds. At Ezra Street, vendors spilled over on to Rabindra Sarani and New CIT Road, with shoppers even stopping their vehicles to browse and make purchases.“This is a very busy area on weekdays, and it is almost impossible to find a parking space. On Sunday, one can shop at leisure without worrying about traffic and parking,” said Nita Sethia, a resident of Convent Road.Shops selling decorative lights reported brisk business, with traders expecting the rush to continue through the week. “The market will remain open till late in the evening till Saturday for Diwali,” said Arvind Tiwari Baba of Calcutta Electric Traders Association.The festive preparations were not limited to shops selling puja essentials and decorations. Several business establishments also got a fresh coat of paint on Sunday as traders prepared their premises for Lakshmi Puja.“We have Lakshmi Puja in the shop, so we clean the space and get it painted before the festival,” said Amit Singh, a trader on Armenian Street.
