Mahim Kandil Galli: Celebrate Diwali by Supporting Local Artisans and Craftsmanship

As Diwali approaches, a soft golden glow spreads across Mahim’s narrow lanes. The scent of freshly cut bamboo, glue, and coloured paper hangs in the air. Strings of lanterns sway gently from shopfronts — star-shaped, cube-shaped, and some crafted like mini works of art. This is Mahim’s famous Kandil Galli, a place that transforms into a festival in itself long before the first diya is lit.

For over seven decades, this small street near Mahim railway station has been the heartbeat of Mumbai’s Diwali spirit. It began humbly in the late 1940s when a few local artisans set up makeshift stalls selling paper and bamboo lanterns. Back then, making a kandil was not just business — it was a matter of pride. Families would spend evenings creating their own lanterns, often passing down techniques from one generation to the next. The galli became a meeting point for craftsmen and customers who believed that no Diwali was complete without a handmade lantern hanging outside their window.

More than Just an Illuminated Lane 

Over time, as the city modernised and ready-made decorations filled stores, the galli held on to its soul — the art of handmade craftsmanship. Today, the scene here is a visual symphony of light and colour. In the weeks leading up to Diwali, the street buzzes from morning to midnight. Shopkeepers and artisans, many of whom have been in the trade for decades, work tirelessly to meet the growing demand. Some families have been crafting lanterns for over three generations, adapting to new materials and designs but staying true to the essence of tradition.

Walk through the lane and you’ll see lanterns made from every material imaginable — paper, plastic, cloth, acrylic, bamboo, jute and even recycled materials. There are traditional star-shaped kandils with intricate paper cuttings, as well as contemporary LED-lit designs and Diwali decor that cater to younger buyers. “Every year, we try something new,” says a 62-year-old business owner, whose family has been part of the market since his father’s time. “We use new patterns and lights, but the spirit remains the same — to bring light into people’s homes.”

Supporting Local Artisans and Craftsmanship

The beauty of this place lies not just in its visual spectacle but in its sense of community. Families come from all parts of Mumbai — Dadar, Bandra, Andheri, and beyond — to buy lanterns here. But beneath the festive cheer lies a deeper story — one of resilience and livelihood. For many local artisans, this season is their busiest and most crucial time of the year. Months before Diwali, they start preparing materials, sketching designs, and cutting paper late into the night. These lanterns are not mass-produced in factories; they are made by hand, piece by piece. Supporting this market means supporting the hands that keep Mumbai’s festival traditions alive, and why markets like Mahim Kandil Galli sustain. 

In recent years, the artisans have also embraced innovation. Eco-friendly materials, solar-powered lights, and sustainable designs have started appearing alongside the classic models." Younger sellers often promote their stalls on social media, helping the galli reach audiences beyond the city. Yet, despite these changes, the essence remains unchanged — it’s still a lane where artistry meets community, where light is not just decoration but an emotion", says Montu, who has run his shop for the past 30 years and is now the second generation who manages the store.  As dusk settles over Mahim, the lane begins to glow brighter.

Visiting this vibrant stretch during Diwali is not just a shopping experience — it’s a walk through living history. It shows how traditions adapt, yet stay rooted. It’s about ordinary people turning simple materials into something extraordinary, and in doing so, illuminating countless homes across Mumbai. So, as you light up your home this Diwali, take a moment to think of the hands that crafted your Diwali lanterns. Their work turns one narrow street in Mahim into a festival of its own, proving that even in the busiest city, there’s still space for warmth, creativity, and community.