It's that time of the year again: Diwali is just around the corner and the ever-popular Diwali mela held by the Blind Relief Association is now in full swing. This year, along with the pretty diyas and arty feng shui items, here's what you can look out for:
Cushions and Quilts
Enter from Gate No. 3 and bang opposite you is Kutch Handicrafts, selling vibrant, multicoloured cushion covers, quilts and stools. For more variety, you cand also check out Kozy Quilts on the other side of the mela.
Flower Pots & Planters
We recommend you stop by the Earthly Creations stall, and a spend a good amount of time there. With flower pots and planters in all shapes and sizes, we were enthralled. There are fish, strawberries, frogs, mushrooms, baingan {which we loved}, karela, sheep, cabbages, squirrels, parrots, pumpkins- you name it, they have it.
Cane Furniture & Decor
Check out Pawan Emporium for cane laundry baskets, place mats, trays, picnic baskets and boxes. We think they'd make for great gifting options, too.
Paper Products
At the long stall set up by the Blind Relief Association, Delhi find paper products of all kinds such as Eiffel Tower wrapping paper, paper packets shaped like cows, notebooks, folders and envelopes.
Chanderi Silk
Enter from Gate No. 1 and almost immediately you will see a stall selling gorgeous, colourful Chanderi silk dupattas and saris. The dupattas start at INR 2,000 and the saris at INR 3,000. A steal, we say.
Neckpieces
Stop by Aeshaane and you will not be disappointed. While there are clothes, earrings and iPad covers on display, what really caught our eye were the neckpieces. Original and striking, {and starting at just INR 2,000} these are worth a look.
Shibori Designs
Check out Samprada {stall n0 36} for Shibori shirts, skirts, jackets and dresses, all dyed with natural dyes.
Picnic Baskets
Who would've thought in this day and age a picnic basket would catch our fancy? Make your way to Kulture Label for picnic baskets, cute vintage-print boxes, stools, trays, cake plates and lanterns.
Foot Massages
Yup, you read that right. And after all that shopping, a foot massage {and that too, for a good cause} will be more than welcome. It's only INR 50 for 15 minutes, but please feel free to donate generously!
When: 2 - 8 November, 2015
Where: Blind School Grounds, Lodi Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Near Oberoi Hotel
Nearest Metro Station: JLN Stadium
Timings: 10.30am - 8pm {entry free}