Diwali lights up lamp makers lives

 People are thronging the market place for shopping for the festival of lights — Deepavali.
Women, in particular, are heading towards all stores to decorate their houses with lamps for the festival. There is an increased demand for clay lamps in recent years compared to Chinaware lamps.

Those who insist on traditional celebration opt for earthen lamps, which in turn has resulted in an increase in demand and thus a hike in prices. The lamps — available in various sizes, shapes and designs along with decoration items — on push carts are attracting all people.

The business is more for push carts vendors than in shop. People are buying diyas now itself as they fear that the prices may go up as the festival nears.

Small size lamps, which could be lighted on compounds, are priced at Rs 85 for 100, slightly bigger ones are priced at Rs 100. Bigger ones are available at Rs 120 for 100 and Rs 300 for the last size.
However, Chinaware lamps are available at Rs 10 for four. Women used to buy them for its durability. But, since two years, they have reverted to earthen lamps.

Mahadeva Shetty, a vendor for more than a decade, says that he has got 10,000 earthen lamps this time as there is an increased demand. Not many are buying Chinaware lamps.