Saptari. The trade of pottery and other materials made of clay and bamboo has increased in Rajviraj Bazar.
As the festivals like Tihar and Chhath are approaching, the demand has increased due to the fact that the devotees here must search for and buy these types of materials.
Local trader Buchni Devi Sah informed that the demand for clay lamps, kalash, ghaila used in Tihar and bamboo konia, nanglo, dhaki etc. used in Chhath Parva has increased after Dasain.
He said, “It’s been a decade since we sold bamboo products. Although there was good business at other times, there has been good business from Dasain to Chhath.”
He said that in other seasons, the business is around 1,000 per day, but the business doubles from Dasain to Tihar. There is no obligation to buy clay and bamboo materials, except for the puja performed at home for marriage vows, death ceremonies, and so on.
However, Mamta Jha of Rajviraj Municipality Ward No. 2 said that since Tihar and Chhath Madhes are compulsory to be celebrated by everyone, there is a compulsion to buy them. He said that in every festival and puja of Madhes, pottery and bamboo materials are indispensable, so the commercial business of these materials will increase in this season.
Head of Rajviraj Municipality Israt Parveen said that the local level of investment will stay at the local level after the clay made by local potters living in different municipalities of the district and the bamboo materials made by Marik (Dome) community take to the market.
He said that it is a positive aspect that local people buy and sell materials made from clay and bamboo at their own place. The residents of the district do not have to rely on other districts to buy and sell bamboo and clay materials.