India, March 27 -- Most of us have grown up receiving religious gifts at family functions. A Ganesha statue wrapped in cellophane, a silver coin in a velvet box, or a plastic-framed idol that quietly found its way to a cupboard shelf. These objects carried sentiment, though they rarely became the centre of attention in the home. They were respectful tokens, not design statements.

That quiet tradition is now shifting. In high-rise apartments and villas across metros and tier two cities, gifting has taken a more thoughtful turn. Instead of the predictable box of sweets or a token silver coin, guests arrive with spiritual pieces that feel closer to art than ritual objects.

The change reflects a broader shift in Indian homes. Faith has not ...