Bhubaneswar, October 30: With Diwali round the corner, Jatani’s famous Bana Market is buzzing with energy. Hundreds of cracker stalls are lined up, offering not just fireworks but a complete range of festive essentials—Rangoli colors, clay diyas, and intricate décor, all drawing excited shoppers from across Bhubaneswar and surrounding districts.
For decades, the Jatani Crackers Market has been a primary supplier of fireworks, serving a substantial portion of Odisha. Customers from nearby regions, including Bhubaneswar and six adjacent districts, rely heavily on this market for their Diwali needs.
This year, over 200 stalls have been set up; each carefully spaced out to adhere to safety regulations. Local police and administration has been vigilant over these activities.
A favorite among locals, Sivakasi crackers from Tamil Nadu are especially popular, as children gravitate towards fancy varieties, while the youths prefer low-decibel options like shorts, Laxmi bomb and locket bombs.
However, locally made crackers from Cuttack’s Padmapur, Pipili-Harirajpur once a market staple, have been prohibited by a Supreme Court mandate, leading Jatani vendors to stock Sivakasi products at premium rates.
Trilochan Patnaik, President, All Odisha Fire-works Association said that the Supreme Court of India has directed in 2019 to ban all conventional crackers and allowed sale and manufacture of only green crackers in the country. Odisha have also banned normal crackers. So, Jatani Traders sale only green crackers here.
Advocate Souvagya Jagadev, Tax Consultant, informed that crackers prices have been increased about 10 % this year, largely due to inflation and fuel price hikes. Still, the market is optimistic, expecting sales to cross ₹ 15 crore approximately, a significant rebound after the pandemic slump. During Covid-19 pandemic in year 2020 to 2022, crackers trading were completely stooped.
Other retail trader Chita Ranjan Dalai remarked, “Customers prefer Indian-made crackers now, so we’ve completely avoided Chinese imports.”
Demand is also high for clay diyas, with a wide selection, including akasha deepam, tulasi deepam, and floating candles, sourced from regions like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kolkata, and Gujarat.
As one customer Pramod Harichandan shared, “Clay diyas bring a sense of authenticity to Diwali, and even at a slightly higher price, they’re worth it.”
With Diwali set for October 31, Jatani is ready for a grand celebration. As homes brighten with rangolis, fairy lights, and traditional prayers, this year’s Diwali promises to be a memorable tribute to prosperity and hope.
