Diwali Buzz Lights Up Pune: Crowded Markets, Festive Shopping, and Heavy Traffic on City Roads
Reported by Anil Dhanwate
Pune, 18th October 2025: As Diwali draws near, Pune is glowing with festive energy — from brightly decorated markets to bustling shopping lanes packed with eager customers. The joy of the festival is visible in every corner of the city, as citizens step out in large numbers to prepare for the season of lights.
Fergusson College Road, Laxmi Road, Tulshibagh, Aundh, Kothrud, and Hadapsar are teeming with shoppers. With footpaths barely visible and vehicles inching forward, finding space to walk — let alone park — has become a challenge. Families, couples, and youngsters are all out to buy clothes, sweets, gifts, and decorations, adding to the carnival-like atmosphere.
Sweet shops, idol vendors, and lamp stalls are witnessing brisk business. Handicrafts and locally made products are seeing strong demand, while eco-friendly decorations and traditional earthen lamps are the clear favorites this year. Many shopkeepers have introduced festive discounts to attract buyers, and major clothing stores are reporting record sales.
“The response this year has been overwhelming,” said a shop owner from Laxmi Road. “People are preferring locally made items, and eco-friendly products are selling out faster than we expected.”
However, the festive rush has also spilled onto the city’s roads. On Friday evening, heavy traffic was reported on Nagar Road, University Road, and Pune Station Road, as thousands of citizens began their journey to native places for the holidays. Traffic congestion continued for nearly six to seven hours from 7 p.m. onward.
Despite the Pune Traffic Police deploying extra personnel to manage the situation, the combination of parked vehicles, roadside vendors, and undisciplined two-wheeler riders added to the chaos. Incidents of signal jumping and wrong-side driving were also reported at several junctions.
While the festive crowds may test the city’s patience, they also paint a picture of Pune’s enduring enthusiasm for Diwali — a celebration that brings together shopping, sweets, and shared joy in equal measure.
