Marigold torans for Dasara and Diwali

From Dasara to Diwali, Pune’s doorways turn orange and yellow. A fresh marigold toran is one of the simplest ways to dress a home for the festivals, and it lasts longer than most people expect if it is made and hung well.

We make torans from two marigolds: the large orange calcutta genda and the smaller yellow variety, with mango leaves tied in at intervals. A standard door toran is 3.5 feet with five hanging strings and costs ₹450. A balcony length of 8 feet with mango leaves is ₹950. Prices rise in the three days before Lakshmi Pujan, so order by the Monday of Diwali week.

Hang the toran where it gets shade for most of the day. Marigold tolerates heat well but dries quickly in direct afternoon sun on a west-facing door. Sprinkle the flowers lightly with water every evening. A good toran stays bright for four to five days, and the mango leaves for three.

For apartments, we suggest a toran on the main door and loose marigold heads floating in a brass urli at the entrance. When the festival is over, the marigold can be dried for a week and added to compost; the petals also make a natural yellow dye for children’s rangoli.