Potters in northern India are busy preparing diyas and have been preparing for over two months, as Diwali approaches. Earthen lamps made by us are reaching far and wide to Jaunpur and even further, said a local potter from the rural areas of India’s spiritual capital, Varanasi. Potters here alone are making more than 1,000 lamps in a day to meet the surge in demand.
The demand had been steadily decreasing over the years with the availability of cheap and more colourfully decorative LED lights in the markets.
Diwali marks the return of Hindu god king, Rama, to his hometown Ayodhya city after an exile of 14 years. According to religious epics, the residents decorated the whole town with diyas and made ‘Rangolis’ (traditional Indian decoration patterns made on ground with coloured powder) to celebrate the return of their beloved king, hence initiating, the festival of lights.
On this day, people illuminate their houses with different types of lights. Fireworks displays and exchange of gifts with friends and family are an integral part of the festival.
However, the Supreme Court has allowed only green crackers in Delhi-NCR.