With Diwali round the corner, it is time to shop, eat and make merry with friends. Visit the diwali melas for trendy diya designs, eco-friendly candles, jewellery, handicrafts and personalised gifting options. From gorging on mouthwatering mango kulfi to riding the giant wheel and watching live folk dances, there is lot one can see and do at the melas this year. HT City lists a few melas in the city you can head to for a time of fun and frolic.
Blind Relief Association Diwali Bazaar
Started about thirty years ago, this bazaar is popular for hand-painted diyas, candles and artifacts made by the visually challenged. The association’s stall offers more than 100 varieties of diyas. The bazaar will have more than 200 stalls selling artifacts, clothes and food making it a lucrative haunt for gift-hunters. You can also get a massage at the mela or gorge on traditional cuisine.
Visit for: Hand-painted diyas
When: November 5-11, 10:30am-8pm
Entry: free
Where: Near Oberoi Hotel, Lodhi Road
Nearest Metro Station: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Violet line 
Select Citywalk Diwali Bazaar
One can shop for designer candles and diyas, chocolates, pooja thalis, ethnic apparel and accessories at this Bazaar. There is also the option of getting personalised packaging for the gifts. Small diyas and candles light up the market in the evening turning up the festive feel while the bows and arrows give it a traditional look and the crystal curtains add some sheen. Residents from nearby areas flock this market for nice discounts, packages and prizes.
Visit for: Designer diyas and chocolates, personalised packaging
When: November 3-8, 12pm-10pm;
Entry: free
Where: The First Floor Balcony, Select Citywalk Mall, Saket
Nearest Metro Station: Saket on the yellow line
Festa of Lights 2012
Organised by Akshay Pratishthan (an NGO for the physically handicapped), this mela is known for colourful apparel, fashion accessories, jewellery, silverware, home furnishings and corporate gifts. It also attracts a lot of foreign tourists who get acquainted to the idea of celebrating Diwali here. Food court by the hotel provides a lavish lunch and snacks to the shoppers.
Visit for: Apparel, jewellery
When : November 4, 10:30am- 8:30pm
Entry: Free
Where: The Grand Hotel, Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj
Nearest Metro Station: Chattarpur on the yellow line 
Dilli Haat Deep Utsav
One can shop for diyas, floating candles, pooja thaalis here. Floral decorations and rangoli give a festive look to the mela. Fire dance and Kacchi Gori from Rajasthan are lined up to entertain visitors. Buy handicrafts and handlooms by Mahila Kalyan Samiti from Uttar Pradesh at the fair. Do not return without sampling the regional cuisine from 25 states at the respective stalls.
Visit for: Handicrafts, cuisines
When: November 8-13, 10:30am-10pm;
Entry: Rs 20
Where: Dilli Haat
Nearest Metro Station: INA on yellow line
Festa of Lights 2012
Organised by Akshay Pratishthan (an NGO for the physically handicapped), this mela is known for colourful apparel, fashion accessories, jewellery, silverware, home furnishings and corporate gifts. It also attracts a lot of foreign tourists who get acquainted to the idea of celebrating Diwali here. Food court by the hotel provides a lavish lunch and snacks to the shoppers.
Visit for: Apparel, jewellery
When : November 4, 10:30am- 8:30pm
Entry: Free
Where: The Grand Hotel, Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj
Nearest Metro Station: Chattarpur on the yellow line Dilli Haat Deep Utsav
One can shop for diyas, floating candles, pooja thaalis here. Floral decorations and rangoli give a festive look to the mela. Fire dance and Kacchi Gori from Rajasthan are lined up to entertain visitors. Buy handicrafts and handlooms by Mahila Kalyan Samiti from Uttar Pradesh at the fair. Do not return without sampling the regional cuisine from 25 states at the respective stalls.
Visit for: Handicrafts, cuisines
When: November 8-13, 10:30am-10pm;
Entry: Rs 20
Where: Dilli Haat
Nearest Metro Station: INA on yellow line
Dastkar Nature Bazaar
True to its name, stalls selling eco-friendly diyas and soaps, Tussar and Ikat saris and accessories of papier machie and fibre are a hit here. You can buy organic food like dried amla and figs too. “Here you can get handicrafts from across India under one roof,” says Shelly Jain, Project Manager, Dastkar.
Visit for: Eco-friendly candles, handlooms and handicrafts
When: Till November 9, 11am-7pm;
Entry: Rs 20
Where: Kisaan Haat, Anuvrat Marg, Andheria Modh, Chattarpur
Nearest Metro Station: Chattarpur on the yellow line
Sunder Nagar Diwali Mela
This 51 year old Diwali fair draws over 15 thousand people every year. The mela has rides where kids can play while parents shop or watch live folk dance. There is a car section too, where a new car is launched every year. From chaat, kulfi of purani dilli to Mexican and Lebanese food, you get it all. “From rides for kids to shopping for adults, this is a mela for all ages,” says Atul Khanna, secretary, Sunder Nagar Association.
Visit for: Shopping, rides and launches
When: November 3,4 from 4pm-10pm
Entry: Rs 80
Where: Sunder Nagar Park, Near DPS School Mathura Road
Nearest Metro Station: Pragati Maidan on the Blue line