Diwali Bazaar goes online

Amazon has opened a dedicated Diwali Bazaar. Soon to become a hot spot for millions of online shoppers, the new online store offers authentic and exotic-like products that previously one could find only at the souqs of Arabia and on the streets of the biggest cities of India.

Keep reading, we are not talking about souvenir junk here. You will be surprised, but we found even gold and silver coins and exquisite handmade jewelry encrusted with precious stones amongst piles of fashionable footwear and series.

Do you think already “unique Christmas gifts”? If you are not from Indian origin, most probably you do. But for Hindus, the meaning and purpose of the Diwali stretches much further than shopping and gifting.

Diwali is the Hindu festival with lights, held in the period between October to November. The celebration is particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and marks the beginning of the financial year in India. Hence, gold and silver coins are popular gifts for Diwali and have become a major business opportunity for online retailers in 2016.

One of the biggest festivals of Hinduism, Diwali spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Its celebration includes millions of lights shining on roofs and balconies, outside doors and windows, around temples in the communities and countries where it is observed. Before the Diwali night, people clean, renovate, and decorate their homes and offices. On the Diwali night, all dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up lamps and candles inside and outside their home, participate in family prayers typically to Lakshmi – the goddess of fertility and prosperity. After prayers, fireworks follow, then a family feast including sweets and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends.

Diwali also marks a major shopping period in nations where it is celebrated. People renovate and decorate their homes, buy new clothes and accessories, choose gifts for their loved ones and business partners. As Amazon is aggressively expanding in India and successfully retailing online a large variety of products to Asian consumers locally, the opening of the Diwali bazaar is equal to the Thanksgiving-dedicated store for American consumers.