From panchgavya to soy wax: How these Indians are making unique eco-friendly diyas for Diwali

The streets are already lined with stalls selling different kinds of objects and decorations that range from diyas to lanterns --- telling you that Diwali is around the corner. The hand-painted diyas, and decorations are in different shades of pink, blue, green and yellow. So, it is no surprise when Swati Mundra, a former Mumbaikar who recently moved back to Bengaluru, tells us she has always loved Diwali, like every other Indian who cannot wait to celebrate it during this time of the year. Soaking up the festivities in 2022, she decided to combine this love for the festival with her art.

Being a maker of candles, Mundra who wanted to express her affection for her loved ones, decided to gift them something special for the occasion. She explains, "When I started making candles, I thought of making it more festive by making DIY soy diyas and gifting it to my loved ones."

Every year, Indians around the world light diyas during Diwali to celebrate the festival. While bursting crackers and gorging on different kinds of snacks and sweets is everybody's favourite part of the festival, one can't deny the simple act of lighting the diyas brings equal joy. It not only illuminates the house but is also a very meditative experience as many people indulge in it during the year but there are more than one or two during Diwali. However, there are many Indians that have started opting for eco-friendly diyas that go beyond the traditional mud or clay variations over the years. They not only do not have harmful colours but also have alternatives to paraffin wax. This has come about due to more awareness about the impact the festival has on the environment.

Lighting up Diwali with soy wax
With Diwali being celebrated on November 12 this year in the coming week, many people are busy getting ready for the festival. With diyas being one of the most important aspects among others, many Indians are eco-friendly options and Mundra is one who has taken the initiative over the last one year. What started out only for loved ones, soon became popular and she soon started receiving orders for them for Diwali. "I honestly did not expect people to spend to buy the diyas because they are used once a year," she shares, and realised that people liked the whole idea of handmade diyas over other traditional ones.

Always wanting to focus on eco-friendly products for her brand, Mundra being an artist, always knew about soy wax, which is a plant-based oil made from soyabean. Mundra explains, "They are made from of soy wax in different aromas with hand-dried puja flowers which are collected from temples to reuse." After many people asking for it in 2022,this year is no different for the Mumbaikar, whose brand is called Iktara Candles. The 31-year-old who shuttles between Mumbai and Bengaluru says it takes a day to make the diyas, because the wax is poured by hand, and decorated after that by her.

Interestingly, the art bug bit Mundra when she was quite young, as she was inspired by her father who had his own collection of paintings, which he not only drew but also preserved. Now, a graphic designer and candle artist, she finds the latter to be very therapeutic and even experiments with different patterns and fragrances, which soy wax is known to throw better than paraffin wax.

Saving the environment with gypsum
It is not only Mundra but also Sonal D'mello in Vasai, who is also busy making diyas for Diwali. When the Terrazzo artist started Jonas Works four years ago, he used different kinds of materials, but has along the way evolved with the materials he uses for his diyas too. He explains, "Initially, we upcycled materials such as crushed glass bottles, broken marble pieces, and shells and used white Portland cement as the base material to craft terrazzo products. However, this year for our Diwali collection, we have taken a step further in our commitment to sustainability by experimenting with gypsum, which is an eco-friendly material." A shift that he has made to replace Portland cement, as more people opt for eco-friendly options.

D'mello says gypsum was an obvious choice as it is known for its eco-friendly properties. "It is non-toxic, biodegradable, and energy-efficient in production, making it an ideal choice for sustainable Diwali decor." The diyas, he says, takes anywhere between 24-48 hours depending on the intricacy of the designs that are being implemented on the diyas. As more and more people opt for bright-coloured diyas over the traditional, brown-coloured variants, he hopes this collection will encourage a lot more people to take the eco-friendly route this Diwali.

Making diyas with a purpose
While Mumbai is abuzz with activity, there is a lot happening in other cities in the country too. In the neighbouring state of Gujarat, Sandesh Bajaj is on a different kind of mission while making diyas. It is one that he says goes beyond financial transactions and instead aims at helping people from the villages around him. He explains, "Making these days revolves around generating employment opportunities in rural areas while also championing the cause of animal welfare." The Ahmedabad-based entrepreneur says he is committed to saving cows from slaughterhouses by harnessing the potential of cow-derived products, which can all be used for different purposes including that of making diyas.

Bajaj makes eco-friendly diyas from ‘Panchgavya', which loosely translates to products derived from cows. It comprises cow ghee, curd, dung, urine and milk. Beyond the diyas, the 20-year-old's company, which is called Nandi Panchgavya, also makes incense sticks and even cones. All the products are handmade and take anywhere between two-three days to make in Ahmedabad. "I started this to contribute to the well-being of cows, which are an integral part of our cultural heritage," he adds. By turning cow-based products into valuable commodities, Bajaj not only intends to promote a sustainable lifestyle but also empower local communities.