PATNA: With the markets getting flooded with cheaper alternatives this Diwali, the craze for earthen lamps among the city residents has subsided considerably. More and more people are opting for series bulbs rather than buying traditional diyas to illuminate their houses on Diwali nights.
Reshmi Devi, an earthen diya seller at Boring Road crossing said, “Five to six years ago, people used to purchase 1000 to 2000 diyas at a time. Now, we feel lucky if we sell even 200 diyas a day.”
Another diya seller at Kankarbagh bus stand, Dinesh Pandit, pointed out that Chinese series bulbs available at much cheaper price have been attracting most of the city people these days. Instead of buying diyas, preparing battis (cotton strings) and putting oil or ghee in the diyas, they simply illuminate their houses with series bulbs. Only some old timers still accustomed to their traditions illuminate their houses with diyas, he said.
Many other people illuminate their houses with colourful candles and diyas made of wax. Candles are also easy to handle and can be easily fixed anywhere. They use earthen diyas only at the time of Lakshmi Puja during Diwali, said Malti Devi, the owner of a stationery shop at Kadamkuan.
The latest addition of ‘water lamps’ in the market has only added to the woes of diya sellers. Looking like conventional diyas and made of clay or plastic, these lamps burn with just a spoonful of water.
Their tiny battery cells are attached to it and when water, which is a conductor, is poured into it, the circuit is complete, illuminating them. They can glow bright for up to 15-20 hours,” said Manoranjan, a trader selling electronic items at Alpana Market.
More and more people are getting attracted to these unique water-fed diyas. “These diyas help save on electricity bills as they don’t consume much power,” said Kalpana, a customer.
Dip in sales of traditional clay diyas during Diwali has been adversely affecting the economy of the local potters who earn their livelihood from this seasonal business. “We had expected good sales this time after the Covid-19 pandemic, but things have hardly improved. We may think of taking to some other more profitable jobs,” rued Nagarjun, an old potter of Kumhartoli in west Patna.
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