Bhubaneswar, October 19: As Diwali approaches, Jatani’s renowned Bana Market is in full swing, filled with vibrant energy and excitement. Hundreds of stalls have popped up, offering a wide range of fireworks, as well as essential festive items like Rangoli colors, clay diyas, and ornamental decorations. The market has drawn shoppers not only from Bhubaneswar but from surrounding districts as well.
However, the surge in crowds is creating significant challenges, particularly in the busy stretch from Talakheta Square to Hari Bhaina Square. With heavy traffic of both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, commuters are facing long delays, with some spending hours to traverse the area. Despite the presence of police in the area, crowd management seems to have fallen short, causing frustration among the public.
Although the administration has issued licenses to firecracker stall owners to operate along both sides of the road, the influx of thousands of shoppers from Bhubaneswar and neighboring districts has overwhelmed the management system. Locals have expressed concern that the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack police’s efforts to maintain order at the Jatani Bana Market have been inadequate. Additionally, there are rising worries regarding fire safety measures, with no visible provisions in place despite the market's large scale.
"The administration failed to anticipate the massive crowd expected this year," said Sai Prakash, a local villager, “We are especially concerned about safety due to the large number of firecrackers and the chaotic traffic.”
For decades, Jatani has been a central hub for fireworks, supplying a significant portion of Odisha’s Diwali needs. People from Bhubaneswar, along with six surrounding districts, rely heavily on this market for their festival supplies.
This year, over 200 stalls have been set up, with each adhering to safety regulations. While the administration has been vigilant in inspecting these stalls, it appears that crowd management and fire safety planning still have room for improvement.
Among the most popular items are Sivakasi crackers from Tamil Nadu, which are a big hit among children and young adults alike. Fancy crackers and low-decibel varieties such as Laxmi bombs and short crackers are in high demand. However, local firecrackers, once a staple in places like Cuttack’s Padmapur and Pipili-Harirajpur, have been banned due to a Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court has allowed only the sale and use of green cracker.ss. As a result, Jatani vendors have resorted to stocking Sivakasi products, now available at premium prices.
Advocate Souvagya Jagadev, a tax consultant, shared that cracker prices have risen by about 10% this year, driven by inflation and rising fuel costs. Nonetheless, the market remains optimistic, anticipating total sales of around ₹20 crore, marking a strong recovery from the pandemic-induced slump.
“We’ve seen a shift in customer preferences,” remarked one of the local retailers. “Now, more people are choosing Indian-made crackers over imports, so we’ve phased out Chinese products.”
Clay diyas are also in high demand, with a variety of options available, including akasha deepam, tulasi deepam, and floating candles, sourced from different states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kolkata, and Gujarat. Customers appreciate the authenticity these traditional lamps bring to Diwali celebrations. “Even if they are a little more expensive, the clay diyas add a genuine touch to the festival,” Lincoln Swain, a customer, noted.
With Diwali just around the corner, set for October 20, Jatani’s Bana Market is all set for a grand celebration. As homes light up with rangolis, fairy lights, and prayers, this year’s Diwali is shaping up to be a joyous occasion, filled with both festivity and hope for the future.
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