Hand painted candles in India: our painted matki candles, and what to know before you buy painted designs

The one painted candle we make

Our hand-painted candle is Matki Candles: Rs 599 for a pack of 4. Each candle is poured in pure soy wax into a little red matki pot, and the pot is hand-painted with a green and yellow vine border. They are made in our Jalandhar workshop.

To be clear about what "painted" means here: the paint is on the matki pot, not on the wax. That matters, because it means the painting stays as it is while the candle is used, and once the wax is finished you are left with four small painted matkis that can be cleaned and kept for haldi-kumkum or rangoli colours.

We do not make candles with painting on the wax surface, and we do not take custom painting orders. If that is what you want, read the section on other options below.

Painted on the pot or painted on the wax?

When you shop for painted candles in India, you will see two kinds, and they behave differently:

So ask yourself one question before buying: will this candle be lit? If yes, a painted container is the practical choice. If it is a showpiece, a candle painted on the wax can be lovely.

Where the painted matkis look best

• Diwali and Deepavali: four matkis in a row on the entrance step or the mandir ledge. The red and green pick up rangoli and marigold colours. Diwali 2026 is on Sunday 8 November.
• Mehendi, haldi and sangeet: as table centres, or along the edge of the stage. Two packs give you eight: 2 x Rs 599 = Rs 1,198.
• A gift for parents: one pack in gift packaging, with a note, is a festive gift that does not need a vase or holder.
• With diyas: pair them with our Diya Candles, six soy candles in terracotta-red lattice diyas for Rs 449. Together that is Rs 599 + Rs 449 = Rs 1,048, which ships free.

Other hand-finished candles we make (not painted)

Some of our candles have hand-finished detail without being painted, in case that is the look you want:

• Urli Candles: a pair of flower-shaped urli bowls with a gold rim, gold-flecked wax and a yellow sunflower on top. Rs 699.
• Marble Seashell Candles: two marbled conch-shell vessels, blue-and-white and terracotta-and-white, topped with pink wax shells, pearls and gold stars. Rs 999 for 2.
• Shankh Candle: a cream and caramel conch vessel with pink lotus blooms and a green lily pad. Rs 799.

When to buy painted candles elsewhere

• Painted on the wax, with names or custom art: independent artists on Instagram and handmade marketplaces paint pillar candles to order, for weddings, baby names and festivals. Ask how long they need, and whether the candle is meant to be lit.
• Folk art styles (Madhubani, Warli, Kalamkari motifs): look for artists who specialise in that art form; it is a skill of its own.
• Bulk painted diyas for an event: potters and wholesale sellers sell painted clay diyas by the hundred, usually to fill with oil yourself.
• Scented painted jars: our Matki Candles carry no fragrance. Our only scented candle is Vanilla Reverie (Rs 549), in an amber glass jar.

Ordering and delivery: Hand painted candles in India

• Dispatch in 24 to 48 hours from Jalandhar; delivery 2 to 7 days after dispatch, anywhere in India. Check the estimate for your pincode on the product page.
• Free shipping from Rs 999; Rs 79 below that.
• Prepaid only, via Razorpay: UPI, card, net banking or wallet. No cash on delivery.
• Gift packaging and a gift note are on the product page.
• If a matki arrives chipped or damaged, tell us within 24 hours of delivery for a replacement or refund.

Lighting the matkis safely

Set the matkis on a flat, heat-proof surface, apart from each other and away from dupattas, curtains and rangoli powder. Trim the wick to about 5 mm, never leave them burning unattended, and keep each burn to 3 to 4 hours at most.