Get starry this Diwali: Celebrating Indian festival of lights in Dubai

Dubai: The festival of lights Diwali is here and Indian residents are all aglow. The celebrations will see their homes bedecked with lights of all shapes and hues, dispelling as it were any shades of darkness in their lives. But stealing the show this year is the good old starlight.

Huda Serdan, an entrepreneur who sells a variety of starlights in Dubai, said they hold a strong appeal for the Indian community. “Hung from the ceiling at doorways, balconies and gardens, they use an electric bulb which lends a warm glow to any home,” Serdan said.

Given the community’s penchant for starlights, the 33-year-old Palestinian Nicaraguan has at least half a dozen varieties on offer — from ‘Ganesha White’ and ‘Priti Red’ to ‘Honeycomb Pink’ and ‘Hologram Blue’.

Serdan said the starlights are specially crafted from handmade paper sourced from India.

“Starlights come in different patterns. They can hang indoors or outdoors with a simple fish-line to give the impression of a floating star, or be suspended with a light cord to light and create beautiful patterns on the walls.”

Starlights are also used during other festivities such as Eid, National Day, New Year’s Eve, shopping fiestas and other mega events, Serdan said.

Besides the traditional starlights, Serdan has a collection of floating and candle lanterns too. The floating lanterns which are shaped like a lotus flower have tea lights at their centre which illuminate the petals.

“They can be used in pools and other water bodies. You can also place them randomly in the garden or sit them in a patio as they give out a warm and tranquil light.”

Although they are made of cotton and rice paper, these lanterns don’t catch fire as they are specially treated. They are very safe,” Serdan said.

Similarly, the mellow candle lanterns are also popular. They look like paper bags with different cut-outs. “You can just put some sand or pebbles inside and place tea lights in them. They are good for the décor, you can create pathways with them, keep them on tables or in balconies.”

A pack of eight floating lanterns costs Dh220 and a box of 10 candle lanterns costs Dh75. The starlights come for Dh45-Dh75 depending on size. A special Diwali discount of 20 per cent is also being offered. 

Municipality ban

Meanwhile, Dubai Municipality has intensified its monitoring of the use of flying lanterns in Dubai just ahead of Diwali.

The public health and safety section of the civic body has banned flying sky lanterns as they are considered a threat to aircraft and the environment.

Clamping down on sales of flying lanterns in the city, it has intensified its patrols on shops and websites selling these lanterns.

Redha Salman, Director of Public Health and Safety, Dubai Municipality, classified sky lanterns in the category of hazardous toys like crackers which have also been banned. According to him, the department has started awareness visits and started confiscating products if found.

He said flying sky lanterns may cause fire as they fall randomly in residential and industrial areas. They pose a huge threat in areas housing the airports or petroleum companies. He urged the public not to engage in or encourage flying sky lanterns.

He warned that those involved in the banned activity may be booked according to the provisions of Local Order No 11/2003 with regard to public health and safety.