It’s not only Indians that wear Indian attire. In almost every company that I have worked at, I used to have the non-Indians frequently admire my traditional wear, wanting to know where I bought them from. Nope, I didn’t go to India and you don’t have to either if you want to wear Indian outfits. Fortunately for you, the Diwali India Lifestyle Festival at Montecasino will give you a range of Indian wear and other Lifestyle items to choose from – it’s going to be a shopper’s paradise!

Diwali is only in November…you’ll be surprised at how time will fly by, so it’s a good idea to get your shopping done early.  There’s something before that, which you may want to wear Indian traditional outfits for – yes, you guessed right, it’s Heritage Day which is on the 24th of September 2018.

Why borrow an outfit from your Indian colleague when you can choose your own and matching accessories to go with it? Isn’t is such a pretty sight when our rainbow nation adorns the traditional outfits of each other’s culture…if you were planning to wear an Indian outfit this Heritage Day, you don’t want to miss the Diwali India Lifestyle Festival!

Perhaps you’re going to have an Indian themed party soon – well here is another reason to go shopping. Planning on doing a photo shoot or want to wear a sari or lehenga choli to an Indian wedding or for whatever reason..or simply just because you can…there’s more than enough reasons to go shopping. 

For an explosion of colour, taste, sound and texture, showcasing wares and delights from local and international exhibitors, you can be glad you don’t have to go all the way to Durban or India to enjoy all of this! I know that annual leave is scarce this part of the year for many, so it’s great to know that you can conveniently do your Diwali shopping right here in Gauteng – those of you who make the weekend trips to Durban, you will relate to what I am referring to here.

Boasting the very best in international Indian clothing, cosmetic jewellery, make-up, silk carpets, homeware, astrologers and more, walk the lanes of “India” and take in the sights and sounds of true Indian traditional and contemporary fashions, foods, and accessories.

Your experience starts from the beginning…  Walking through the ENTRANCE filled with beautiful décor, flowers, and sounds, taking you into the LIFESTYLE EMPORIUM where a variety of homeware, food, make-up, and teas will ignite your senses.  You’ll find intricately detailed and exquisite saris, perfectly cut and styled Punjabis or with wedding season upon us too: the bridal gown of your dreams in the shopping MELA. If you haven’t been to this before, let me give you a tip – most of the time, you can bargain, the price is usually not whatever they tell you it is.

There is something for the whole family, including camel and rickshaw rides and a kiddies cricket area.  For the adults, a lounge decked with low tables, soft cushions, traditional hookahs and a vast array of flavoured tobaccos.

An Indian shopping experience is never complete without the delicious tastes of India, of which there will be plenty. Whether you are buying food or attending one of the workshops to learn how to make them, it promises to be a culinary feast.

In a country as diverse as South Africa, you need not be Indian to go to the Diwali India Lifestyle Festival. It’s great that Montecasino throughout the year has events of this nature, not only to suit and accommodate various cultures but also to create awareness of other cultures, which in my opinion is so needed in South Africa.  The more we learn about each other’s culture, the better our understanding becomes and this affects the way we treat and respect each other.

The DIWALI INDIA LIFESTYLE FESTIVAL at Montecasino in Fourways will be open to the public from 11h00 to 21h00 daily from 7 – 16 September.  Entry is only R30 per person.  Children under 12 enter FREE.  R10 secure parking available at the venue on arrival.