It’s a cracker of a Diwali for diya sellers in Chandigarh
The diya makers haver registered more profit this year than the last year.
As Diwali is around the corner, potters have registered rise in demand for the earthen lamps (diyas) due to Green Diwali campaigns being organised across the country. They have also registered more profit this year than the last year.
At Chandigarh’s Bhaskar Colony in Sector 25, around 30 families get onto pottery work during Diwali. The families usually work in companies while some of them are fruit sellers. During Diwali season, they take leave from their work to make diyas.
1,000 DIYAS FOR Rs 500
Surinder, a potter, says, “Last year, the small diyas were sold for Rs 400 per 1,000 pieces. However, this time, there is more profit. Now the diyas are selling at Rs 500 per 1,000 pieces.” There are different shapes, sizes and colours in the diyas. “The small ones are the favourite choice of people while we make different size of diyas,” says Narinder, who has taken a leave for ten days from his job to do this work.
PROCESS OF MAKING DIYAS
The clay that is used in making the diyas comes from Mullanpur, Punjab. The potter creates the diyas on the potter’s wheel from this clay which are then kept in the sun to harden them. Then the diyas go through the process of firing to permanently harden them. “When the process is complete, the diyas are painted in red and green colour paint but usually a local paint is used,” tells a woman painting the diyas. Traditional diyas are made in Sector 29 and Maloya too.
30 LAKH DIYAS MADE HERE
Every family makes around 1 lakh diyas every Diwali season which makes it around 30 lakh in total for the colony. Shopkeepers come and purchase the diyas and then sell at their shops. The potters too put stalls in different sectors.
“I make idols of Laxmi and Ram and help in the process of firing,” Sarita says.
Diyas made here go to the markets of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and several other states.