Inside Pune’s Kumbhar Wada, Where Artisans Prepare Handmade Decorations for Diwali

Reported by Radhika Sharma and Disha Singh
Pune, 5th November 2026: As Diwali approaches, residents of Pune head towards the streets of Kumbhar Wada in Kasba Peth to buy handmade diyas, lanterns, idols of deities, rangoli stencils and supplies, and killas or handmade forts with figurines.

With the growing availability of products through e-commerce platforms, Kumbhar Wada continues to attract buyers looking for handmade festive decorations. Local craftsmen, or Kumbhars, prepare these products with intricate patterns, motifs and styles, drawing customers from different parts of the city.

“We make everything by hand; it takes a month overall. After the festival, the surplus gets packaged and stored for the next year,” says Survana, a handmade festive ornaments seller in Kumbhar Wada.

Moving deeper into the Wada, the killas or forts attract crowds, with people buying the intricate, handmade and colourful structures for their children and incorporating them into their Diwali celebrations.

“Some are handmade, with the glitter and everything, but some we use moulds for, because they are the most in demand, so we make several identical pieces. The creation process takes a long time, with the crafting, the painting and then the drying,” said Asmita Kale, another woman selling forts and figurines of peacocks, soldiers, deities and more.

Customers also visit the neighbourhood with their families and friends closer to Diwali to complete their festive shopping, including purchasing diyas and other decorations.

Suchaita, a customer visiting one of the shops, said, “We’ve come here, my friend and I, to buy diyas. It is actually preferable to be here and buy the things we need, aside from the lower price range, also because it makes us feel more connected to the festival when we handpick the diyas, actually see the designs and take a stroll around everything that is being sold.”

“I’ve actually come here to buy diyas and other painting supplies for a ‘Diya Painting’ activity in my office. I have to pick designs that are easy to paint, and this adds a touch of personalisation. I work for an international company, so we make an effort to celebrate all our festivals with as much gusto as we can to be able to keep in touch and appreciate our culture to its fullest,” said Prashant, a customer shopping for painting supplies, diyas and lanterns for his workplace.

With Diwali approaching, Kumbhar Wada remains a destination for residents looking to purchase festive decorations and traditional handmade products. Artisans continue preparing and selling these items, while customers visit the neighbourhood to shop for their celebrations, keeping the market active during the festive season.