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Diwali decoration guidelines for housing societies

Lights, lanterns, diyas and rangoli are what make a society feel like Diwali. They are also where many avoidable problems start: overloaded sockets, wires across corridors, candles near curtains and arguments about who switched off the lobby lights. A short set of guidelines, agreed by the committee and posted early, prevents most of this.

Common-area decoration

Plan it as one job. Decide what the society will decorate (main gate, entrance lobbies, clubhouse, podium, trees) and who will do it: volunteers, the maintenance team or a decorator. If you hire a decorator, agree in writing what is included, set-up and removal dates, and who supplies power connections.

Electrical work by qualified people. Temporary lighting on common areas should be connected by the society electrician or the decorator's electrician, from a proper point with protection, not from a chain of extension boards. Ask your facility manager to check the load on common-area circuits before adding large light runs.

Keep routes clear. No wires across walkways, staircases or the fire escape route. Decorations must not cover fire extinguishers, hydrant points, emergency signage or lift buttons.

Timings. Decide when common-area lights will be switched on and off each evening and for how many days, and assign someone to do it. A timer helps.

Guidelines for residents' balconies and doors

Most residents decorate their own homes, and the society usually has no say inside a flat. But balconies, shared corridors and external facades affect neighbours and building safety, so it is reasonable for the committee to ask residents to:

Use lights in good condition and switch them off when the flat is empty or at night.
Avoid drilling or fixing anything to the external facade or common walls without permission, if your bye-laws require it.
Keep diyas and candles away from curtains, dry plants and paper lanterns, and never leave them burning unattended.
Keep corridor decorations (torans, rangoli, lanterns) to their own doorway so the corridor stays passable for everyone, including wheelchairs and stretchers.
Remove decorations within a reasonable time after the festival.

Rangoli in common areas

If the society holds a rangoli competition, mark the spots in advance in low-traffic areas, tell housekeeping not to sweep them until judging is done, and agree when they will be cleaned up. Coloured powder on lift floors and stairs can be slippery.

After Diwali

Fix a date for removing common-area decorations and ask the decorator or volunteers to check that temporary wiring is fully disconnected. Note what worked and what you paid, so next year's committee does not start from zero.

Free sample notice

Subject: Diwali 2026 - Decoration and Lighting Guidelines Dear Residents, The society will decorate [main gate, lobbies, clubhouse] from [Date] to [Date]. Common-area lights will be on from [Time] to [Time] daily. For everyone's safety, we request residents to: - Use only lights in good condition and switch them off when the flat is empty. - Keep diyas and candles away from curtains and plants, and never leave them unattended. - Keep corridors, staircases and fire-exit routes clear of wires and decorations. - Not cover fire extinguishers, hydrant points or signage. - Remove door and balcony decorations by [Date]. Any electrical connection from common areas must go through [Facility Manager / society electrician]. Thank you, [Name], Secretary, on behalf of the Managing Committee Date: [Date]

Copy it, replace every [bracket], and read it once more against your own society's decisions before posting.

Checklist for the committee

☐ List of common areas to decorate and who is responsible for each.
☐ Decorator scope, set-up and removal dates agreed in writing.
☐ Load on common-area circuits checked by the electrician.
☐ No wires across walkways, stairs or fire-exit routes.
☐ Extinguishers, hydrants, signage and lift buttons left uncovered.
☐ On/off times fixed, with a person or timer assigned.
☐ Rangoli spots marked and housekeeping informed.
☐ Removal date fixed and temporary wiring checked after removal.

Planning aid, not legal advice. This guide is a planning aid for society committees, not legal advice. Rules on firecrackers, noise, fire safety and use of common areas are set by courts, state governments, police and municipal authorities, and by your own society's bye-laws. They change, sometimes every year. Always check the current official order for your city before you post a notice.

Want the whole set ready?

The NoticeKart Society Diwali Packet has 8 ready notices in English, हिन्दी, मराठी and ಕನ್ನಡ, a 21-day committee plan, and volunteer, vendor, budget, kids' and safety sheets, editable in Google Docs / Sheets. See what's inside · ₹349 one-time.