Sun, 25 October 2026
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Sun, 25 October 2026
By Our Correspondent, Nepalgunj, Oct. 25: Potters in Nepalgunj are busy making earthenware to meet the sharp rise in demand for clay lamps and other earthen utensils during the Tihar festival.
Demand for clay lamps and other earthenware items rises significantly during Tihar and Chhath. As the festivals approach, members of the Kumhal community have been working tirelessly over the past few days to produce the items needed for worship and other rituals.
Most members of the community are occupied with different stages of production, with some kneading clay while others shape it into pots and lamps.
Many potters said they were working day and night to meet the growing demand for clay lamps and other earthenware items used during the festivals.
Deepak Kumhal of Ward No. 3 of Nepalgunj said the use of earthenware had declined with modernisation and the growing popularity of newer utensils. However, demand for traditional clay products rises significantly during Tihar.
He said many people look for earthenware during festivals such as Tihar and Chhath, prompting potters to increase production in preparation for the festive season.
Ramesh Kumhal of Ward No. 13 of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City said it had become increasingly difficult to make a living from the traditional occupation. However, he continues to make earthenware to preserve the family trade.
He said he could not simply abandon the work practised by his ancestors. Although most young people in the community had left the occupation, he had continued it as part of his ancestral culture and tradition.
Another potter, Deepak Kumhal, also from Ward No. 13, said clay lamps were the most widely sold items during the festive season, as demand for them was particularly high.
He said potters were currently busy making earthen pots, lamps, palas (traditional clay lamps) and bhurki (small earthen vessels). As they often struggle to supply enough lamps to meet demand during Tihar, they have started producing them in large quantities well in advance.
Deepak said he sold each clay lamp for one rupees and had sold more than 30,000 lamps during Tihar last year.
During Dashain and Tihar, many vendors bring earthenware to Tribhuvan Chowk in Nepalgunj for sale. Sadarline, Triveni Mod, Tribhuvan Chowk and Dhamboji Chowk are among the city's main markets for earthenware.
Photo caption: Potter in Nepalgunj busy making clay lamps for Tihar.
Photo: Siraj Khan/Nepalgunj
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