With just a few days left for the Diwali festival, Sivakasi has entered the final stage of firecracker sales, drawing buyers from across Tamil Nadu and other states. The town, famed for its fireworks industry, is witnessing heavy footfall as new varieties of crackers are being launched this season.
This year, manufacturers have introduced over 30 fresh designs, including themed crackers named after “pizza”, “watermelon”, “Oreo biscuit”, “vel”, “guitar”, and even cylinders. Many of these are aimed at younger consumers who want novelty and spectacle.
In the Virudhunagar district and surrounding areas — Sattur, Vembakottai, Kulasekarapattinam — more than 1,000 cracker units are reportedly working overtime, while around 2,000 retail shops are actively selling firecrackers. The final days before Diwali see most of the stock moved out.
Authorities note that people are traveling from neighboring districts and states to buy from Sivakasi, hoping for wider choice, better quality, and even wholesale rates.
Industry insiders caution that pressure on supply might push up prices toward the festival’s eve. Some manufacturers report production constraints due to regulatory checks or raw material supply issues.