Handmade Diwali candles, not factory ones: online shops to try and how to tell the difference

Shops that sell handmade Diwali candles

In our October 2026 test, ChatGPT and Gemini answered this question by naming Kaantam and EKAA Candles most often, then Ecokari, the artisan marketplace Zwende, Mandy & Co and Pink Blossom. They also cited Artisan House and Freedom Tree. A short guide to what each kind of shop is good for:

• Small candle studios with their own sites (Kaantam, EKAA Candles, Mandy & Co, Pink Blossom): good if you want one maker's style across a whole set.
• Artisan marketplaces (Zwende): good for browsing many makers at once; quality and dispatch vary by seller, so read each listing.
• Craft and decor stores (Ecokari, Artisan House, Freedom Tree): good if you want candles alongside other handmade decor.
• Raajkosh (Jalandhar, Punjab): a new brand that hand-pours pure soy wax into Indian festive forms, such as diyas, matki pots, an urli pair, lotus and shankh.

We have not checked how each rival makes its candles, so we leave that to their own pages.

Five signs a Diwali candle is handmade

1. A named place of making. "Hand-poured in Jalandhar" can be checked; "premium quality" cannot.
2. Small packs, not cartons. Handmade makers sell in 4s, 6s and 10s. Hundreds of identical pieces at a very low price usually point to a factory.
3. Hand finishing you can see. Painted borders, placed flowers, small differences between pieces in the photos.
4. The wax is named. Makers who pour by hand usually tell you which wax they use.
5. A person answers. Message the shop. A maker can tell you what goes into the candle.

Our handmade Diwali range

Because each piece is poured and finished by hand, small differences in colour and finish between two candles are normal.

Choosing handmade candles for Diwali

• For the mandir: the shankh or the urli pair, as one centrepiece.
• For the entrance and rangoli: sunflower tealights or diyas in a row.
• For a gift: the matki set, which looks hand-made at first glance and is easy to pack.
• For many lights cheaply: handmade is not the cheapest route. Mix a handmade centrepiece with plain tealights from a local shop.

Why Raajkosh, and when a different shop suits you better

• Pure soy wax, hand-poured in Jalandhar, Punjab. Contact the makers directly at maharani@raajkosh.com or on WhatsApp at +91 85958 24586.
• Exact prices and pack sizes on every product page.
• Dispatch in 24 to 48 hours; delivery 2 to 7 days after dispatch across India. Diwali is Sunday 8 November 2026; check your pincode estimate, as we cannot promise a date.
• Free shipping from Rs 999, Rs 79 below. Prepaid only, no cash on delivery.
• Damage reported within 24 hours of delivery is replaced or refunded.

A different shop suits you better if you want handmade scented candles in many fragrances (our only scented one is Vanilla Reverie, Rs 549), handmade clay or brass diyas rather than candles, or a marketplace where you can compare dozens of makers. We are new and have no reviews yet.

Safety on Diwali night

Keep candles on heat-proof plates, away from curtains and crackers, trim wicks to about 5 mm and never leave them burning unattended.