Lighting up Dhaka: Exploring Paltan’s light and lamp market

In the capital's Purana Paltan bus stop area, near Paltan Jame Mashjid, there is a wholesale and retail lighting market that will most certainly catch your eye, making you wonder what corner of your home could use such elegant artwork.

Here, you will find almost everything to take care of your lighting needs: chandeliers, table lamps, bedside lamps, wall lamps, hanging lights, fluorescent lamps, entrance bracket lights, gate lights, garden stand lights, street lamps, and what not.

Photo: Prabir Das

Whether you want fairy lights for your balcony, a warm light for your bathroom, or a simple dim light for your bedroom, this market has you covered. Whatever lighting and decor idea you may have in mind, hold that thought and visit this market. Because here, you will find not only what you are looking for, but something even better that exceeds your imagination and expectations. You can even find shops that customise according to your design for lighting needs, bringing your vision to reality.

Depending on the size, its complexity, and of course your bargaining skills, you will find everything here, from mid-range to high-end prices. For something as simple as a bedside lamp, prices may start from Tk 2,000 and may climb to Tk 30,000 and even higher. But if you have set your eyes on a royal-looking crystal glass chandelier, the options here can range from Tk 20,000 to a grand Tk 3,00,000.

Whether it be star lights or floral ceiling hangings, each shop here strives to set itself apart and stand out by adding uniqueness to their collection and designs.

One of the first, and arguably the oldest shops you will find here, is Shwash Crystal Lighting, which started in 1963, offering a range of lighting and design items for both households and luxury hotels. Shwash is one of the oldest in this business and was among the first to lay the brick for this hub, which later turned out to be the largest wholesale and retail lighting market of Dhaka.

Meanwhile, several other lighting shops are leaving customers in awe with their uniquely designed star lights. Many shops, including Power Plus Lighting, are offering tailor-made lighting brackets and lamps customised to each customer's taste and choice. Whereas, Imo Lighting offers a range of underwater lighting instruments that can enhance the charm of your aquariums and indoor or outdoor fountains.

The market has become a hub for local entrepreneurs in the lighting and lamp business, each featuring their own niche and design themes.

The kind of competition you see among the shops is usually good for the customers, as vendors work hard to make their designs and looks more unique and aesthetic, while also giving you more leverage to haggle over price.