BIRGUNJ: The traditional trade in earthenware used during the Tihar and Chhath festivals has seen a notable decline in Birgunj this year, say local vendors.
Fourteen-year-old Alok Prajapati of Birgunj Metropolitan City-11, Ranighat, who has been selling earthenware on the footpath near Ghantaghar Chowk for the past three years, said business has been slow compared to previous festive seasons.
“In earlier years, daily sales reached up to Rs 5,000. Now, earning even Rs 2,500 a day is difficult,” he shared. “The demand for ‘diyas’ and ‘pala’ (oil lamps) has dropped significantly.”
Prajapati, who sells earthen items such as traditional lamps, pots, lids, and other decorative clay products from Dashain Tika through to Chhath, noted that footfall and interest from buyers have visibly decreased.
Another vendor, Birju Pandit Prajapati, who sells similar items along the sidewalk of BP Udyan near the clock tower, echoed the sentiment. He said that in his decade-long experience selling clay goods, this year has seen some of the weakest sales. “These days, people prefer jalara (string lights) and electric lamps over traditional clay items,” he said.
Chandra Hazara Thakur of Birgunj-12, Murli, who regularly purchases clay items for the festive season, acknowledged the shift in consumer habits.
“We’ve been buying these items for Diwali and Chhath for years, but as people become more modern, they seem to prefer synthetic alternatives over traditional clay products,” he said.
Vendors said that despite the drop in demand, prices have remained relatively stable. A set of 100 small clay lamps sells for Rs 150, while small pots and lids are priced at Rs 90 and Rs 100 respectively.
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