Light up diyas of joy on this Diwali

12 November, 2012

Diwali, the festival of lights or diyas is celebrated on the return of Hindu god Lord Rama to Ayodhya, after 14 years of exile; there's an aura of fervor and gaiety all around. Legend has it that millions of lamps were lit up to welcome lord Rama's return.

THE POTTERS in Uttar Pradesh are in a state of ecstasy, as the sales of earthen lamps have picked up ahead of the festival of lights. With Diwali, just a day away, a large number of artisans in Gorakhpur are all busy preparing earthen lamps for the festival.

Krishna Kumar Prajapati, an artisan is extremely delighted as his dull business has turned bright again, just like the glistering diyas. He said in this ANI video, “We have got orders for earthen lamps from Gurgaon, Delhi and we will supply it from Gorakhpur. We supply as and when there is demand. The demand has increased as Diwali is round the corner and the price depends on the size of the lamps.”

The potters display exemplary artistic skills and artisans make innovative pieces from clay, like a hand holding the lamp, a women carrying diyas, an elephant with a bulk of diya on its back, etc. Paras Nath, an artisan said, “During the festival of Diwali, we get bulk orders and it gets difficult for us to complete it on time. We also earn huge profits and secondly, it is an item of Diwali and therefore, there is huge demand and demand for rest of the items is for the whole year.”

Unfortunately the potters in Paulpara near Siligudi, West Bengal do not share the same fate, as the customer turn out is low. Monaranjan Paul, an artisan said: “We are not so busy because of the low market. Last year we got proper prices for our products, but this year, it is too low. The production of the earthen lamps is more but there is no demand.” However with time sales will hopefully pick up, bringing joy to the artisan community.

Diwali is celebrated on the 14th day in the month of Kartika and this time it is falling on November 13th (Tuesday). Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi is offered special puja on this day and it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi will shower her blessings on the homes which are clean and lit up with diyas on this day.