The main door is where Diwali begins — it's the first thing Lakshmi, and every guest, sees. A well-chosen door hanging or bandhanvar does more for your entrance in two minutes than an entire evening of fairy lights. Here's how to pick the right one.
Door Hanging vs Bandhanvar — What's the Difference?
Both decorate the main door, but they're not the same thing, and knowing which one you need saves a lot of browsing:
Quick Definitions
- Door hanging (toran) — comes as a set of 2, one for each side of the door frame. Each piece is a single hanging with a motif such as a lotus, Ganesh, Lakshmi or Shubh Labh, finished with pom-poms, bells or pearl tassels. Budget-friendly and easy to put up every year — great for the main door, balconies, windows and the puja room too.
- Bandhanvar — a fuller, more elaborate festoon that hangs across the top of the door, often with a deity motif (Shreenathji, Ganesh), marigold and rose detailing, and multiple hanging strands. Meant as the centrepiece for your main entrance.
If you're decorating one main door and want it to be the statement piece, go bandhanvar — or pair a bandhanvar on top with a set of door hangings on the sides for a complete look. If you're decorating multiple doors, windows and the puja room, door hangings are the more practical choice.
Budget-Friendly Door Hangings, By Motif
Our door hangings come as a set of 2, range from ₹190 to ₹430 per set, and are handcrafted to be reused year after year. A few favourites by theme:
Choosing by Colour and Material
Once the motif is sorted, colour is the next decision — and it should match your entrance, not just the festival:
- Red & gold — the most traditional pairing, works on wood and dark-coloured doors.
- White & green pom-pom — fresher, modern look, stands out on light or glass doors.
- Golden brocade — richer texture, photographs beautifully for evening puja pictures.
- Multicolour — best if you're also lighting up the entrance with fairy lights or diyas, so the door hanging doesn't get visually lost.
Premium Bandhanvars for the Main Entrance
If the main door deserves a full, layered piece, a bandhanvar is built for exactly that — wider, with more depth, and usually a deity motif at the centre. Our handcrafted bandhanvars range from ₹1,499 to ₹2,999:
Quick Checklist Before You Buy
Don't Skip These
- Measure your door width before choosing a bandhanvar — it hangs across the top, so it should suit the width of your entrance. Door hangings come as a pair and frame the two sides, so they suit almost any door.
- Check if it's for outdoor or covered-porch use — pick weather-resistant materials if it'll face direct sun or rain.
- Decide door hanging vs bandhanvar before you start browsing colours — it narrows the choice instantly.
- If you're buying for multiple doors, door hangings work out far more economical than repeating a bandhanvar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a door hanging and a bandhanvar?
Door hangings come as a set of 2 and hang on either side of the door, while a bandhanvar is a single, fuller festoon that hangs across the top of the door. Many homes use both together — a bandhanvar on top and a pair of door hangings on the sides.
When should I put up my Diwali door hanging or bandhanvar?
Most families put up their door décor before Dhanteras, so the entrance is ready to welcome Lakshmi for all five days of Diwali. Many keep it up through the rest of the festive season.
Where else can I use door hangings?
Since they come as a pair, door hangings also look lovely on the puja room door, balcony doors, windows and on either side of the home mandir.
Can I reuse my toran or bandhanvar next year?
Yes. Every piece is handcrafted to last more than one festival. After Diwali, take it down gently, wipe it with a dry cloth and store it flat in a dry box, away from moisture, so it's ready for next year.
However you decorate it this year, the idea stays the same — a door that feels welcoming the moment someone steps up to it, lit by a diya and framed in marigold.
Every toran and bandhanvar in our Diwali collection is handcrafted at the Celebration Kraft studio and ships pan-India in time for the festival.
Shop the Full Diwali Collection →