Bengaluru, Karnataka: With Diwali just around the corner, Bengaluru is buzzing with festive cheer as sweet shops gear up to showcase their finest treats. From classic mithai boxes to luxurious dry fruit hampers, confectioners are witnessing a surge in customers eager to buy gifts for family and friends.

Shravaya, a customer, said, "Deepawali is a festival of lights and togetherness but there is much more than that – there is an exchange of love and gifts, no matter whether it's big or small, there's always a thought behind it. You are remembering them in your happiness; that's what makes it special. You pause, wait and think about who matters a lot in your life and appreciate their presence in your life, and I believe that's what makes Deepawali so special."

Ashwini, another customer, added, "This is the occasion where we can meet our loved ones – relatives, friends... and even professional relationships actually flourish with these moments."

Confectioners in the city note that customers are leaning towards premium sweets and elegant gift hampers over traditional delicacies.

Vipin Dadu, a sweet shop owner, said, "People are more interested in dry fruit sweets rather than Mawa sweets, they like good quality of sweets... This hamper is the costliest – Rs 5,750 per hamper. We are selling mini hampers, people nowadays are buying hampers more."

Mohan, a sweet shop salesman, explained, "During Dussehra, sweets are bought for employees, whereas during Diwali, people buy for friends and relatives. Dry fruit items sell more for Diwali, while mixed sweets are popular during Dussehra. Our Mysore Pak, Kaju Katli, and special caramel dry fruit gujiya, it's exclusively available here, nowhere else."

To keep up with the increasing demand, Bengaluru's confectioners are working nonstop as their shelves overflow with orders. This year, Diwali falls on October 20.