By Aurko S.
Published on November 1, 2013

The joy of meeting everyone over a family pooja, the fun of doing up your home in traditional colours and diyas, welcoming guests with a colourful rangoli… some Diwali traditions have endured for generations and will continue to do so. These elements make the festival of lights what it is — an occasion to reconnect with your roots and observe time-tested rites and rituals. Dubai offers all the ingredients required to make your celebration a time to remember. Check out this comprehensive shopping guide for things without which no Diwali ceremony is complete:

MADHOOR
Items: Aarti thali range, torans, rangoli colours, fairy lights, pooja packets
Special items: Madhoor’s pooja packet is very famous. It has supari, kanku, pooja thread, dry petals and more
Price: Dh20-Dh100 (for the aarti thali), Dh10-Dh100 (for torans), Dh2 (for 100gms rangoli powder)
Contact: 04-352 3609; Cosmos Lane, Meena Bazaar, near Dubai Museum, Dubai

AL ADIL
Items: Torans, diyas, rangoli colours, incense sticks, aarti thali
Special items: Rangoli stencils available here are useful for those who are not comfortable with free hand designs
Price: Dh20 onwards (for toran),Dh2 (for 50gm rangoli)
Contact: 04-335 7434; Shop No. 2, ground floor, Karate building, Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Karama, Dubai

PRATHA (HOME-BASED)
Items: Diyas, aarti thalis, torans, gift packing, rangolis
Special itmes: Pratha specialises in Shubhlabh hangings and designs that are integral to Diwali decorations
Price: Dh10-Dh20 (for diyas), Dh40-Dh65 (for aarti thali), Dh100-Dh160 (for fancy torans), Dh35-Dh40 (shubhlabh)
Contact: 055-991 5874, 055-991 3874; Next to BurJuman, Bur Dubai, Dubai

RIKRIATION (HOME-BASED)
Items: Aarti thalis, torans, rangoli platters, gift-wrapping services
Special items: Rikriation has several imaginative gift ideas for Diwali. Their chocolate hampers are much-sought after
Price: Dh15-Dh250 (the entire range)
Contact: 055-908 8545 (contact Priti Goryani); Bur Dubai, Dubai

WRAP IT UP (HOME-BASED)
Items: Torans, rangolis, diyas, aarti thalis, dry fruits, chocolate hampers
Special items: The most special item available here are the floating diyas that add a touch of class to any Diwali decoration. Another specialty are pearl hangings that are a great variation of flower torans
Price: Dh150-Dh250 (for torans), Dh25-Dh200 (for ready rangoli by size), Dh70 (for dry fruits and chocolate hampers), Dh50-Dh200 (pearl hangings)
Contact: 055-778 1826 (contact Harsha Prashant Gandhi); behind Spinneys, next to BurJuman, Bur Dubai, Dubai

SCAPADES
Items: Diyas, rangolis, aarti thalis
Special items: Check out their readymade rangolis if you want a beautiful design but don’t know how to make them
Price: Dh20-Dh45 (for diyas), Dh100 (for a set of two ready rangolis), Dh60 (for aarti thali)
Contact: 050-708 4565; No. 202, Barsha Business Point, Al Barsha 1, Dubai

PERUMAL FLOWERS TRADING
Items: Aarti thalis, diyas, flowers
Special items: This shop offers floral decorations as well as other Diwali supplies
Price: Dh18-Dh25 (aarti thali), Dh35-Dh45 (for torans)
Contact: 04-354 0501; next to Shiva Temple,
Bur Dubai, Dubai

AL GHADEER FLOWERS
Items: Flower rangolis, flower diyas, torans and loose flowers
Special items: If you want to do anything with flowers, this is the store to go. They offer a wide variety of unique floral decorations. Their flower rangolis are especially fascinating
Price: Dh250-Dh550 (for flower rangoli), Dh350-Dh750 (flower diyas), Dh50-Dh150 (for torans depending on length), Dh60-Dh80 (for loose flowers)
Contact: 04-271 4003; Ground Floor, Burj Nahar Building, Al Muteena Street, Deira, Dubai

MASOUMA SHAMBEH NOVELTIES
Items: Aarti thalis, diyas, special torans
Special items: The bell-torans (hangings made of tiny bells attached creatively) are must-buys at this store.
Price: Dh25-Dh75 (aarti thali), Dh15-Dh110 (flower torans, depending on length), Dh20-Dh110 (bell torans)
Contact: 04-353 4223; near Shiva Temple, Near Gate No. 1, Bur Dubai, Dubai

CHOITRAM SUPERMARKETS
Items: Aarti thali, lights, wall hangings, torans and diyas
Special items: Choitram has mud diyas as well as painted, terracotta ones
Price: Dh10 onwards (for a pack of diyas)
Contact: 04-352 4012; Al Raid Building, Bur Dubai. Near Khaleej Centre, Dubai