OCTOBER 23, 2011 By Girish Kumar Dubey
Potters engaged in creating 'diyas', the traditional earthen lamps, said that the importance of earthen lamps cannot be undermined, as it is considered auspicious to worship Gods with the traditional lamps during the festival.
"The lamps made of clay are of greater importance, because without these, earthen lamps Goddess Lakshmi cannot be worshipped," said Nakhadu Prajapati, a potter.
Twinkling earthen lamps light up every home and firework displays are common across the country on this festival.
The customers said that though the markets are flooded with less cumbersome and more glitzy plastic and electric lights from China, yet they prefer to buy lamps and idols made of pure clay, as they are supposed to be harbingers of good fortune.
"Worshipping Gods with the clay lamps is considered to be auspicious, this is the reason we buy earthen lamps and clay idols of Gods and worship them. We do not trust the Chinese items, as it has also come to our knowledge that lots of poor quality Chinese items have also been seized, so we do not use Chinese items. God cannot be worshipped with Chinese items, Gods are worshipped with items made of pure clay," said Rahul Singh, a customer.
Available in different designs, the price tags of earthen lamps range between Re 1 to a few hundred, depending upon the size, style and embellishments.
Diwali, which falls in the months of October-November, is celebrated with fervour and gaiety all over India as it marks the return of Hindu god Lord Ram to Ayodhya in northern India after he defeated Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka.
Legend says millions of lamps were lit when Lord Ram defeated Ravana and returned after 14 years of exile in forests.
Diwali is also celebrated in honour of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that Lakshmi, signifying prosperity, comes into those homes that are clean and well-lit.
Irrespective of competition posed by inexpensive Chinese electric lights, which have flooded markets ahead of Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, traditional clay lamps are selling like hot cakes in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (OCTOBER 23, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
1. THE POTTER ROTATING THE POTTERY WHEEL
2. POTTER GIVING SHAPE TO A EARTHEN LAMP ON THE POTTERY WHEEL
3. POTTER MAKING EARTHEN LAMPS ON THE POTTERY WHEEL
4. EARTHEN LAMPS KEPT ON THE GROUND
5. EARTHEN LAMPS
6. ANOTHER POTTER GIVING SHAPE TO AN EARTHEN LAMP ON THE POTTERY WHEEL
7. EARTHEN LAMPS BEING MADE ON THE POTTERY WHEEL
8. FACE OF THE POTTER
9. POTTERY WHEEL
10. A WOMAN HOLDING EARTHEN LAMPS ON A WOODEN SLAB
11. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) NAKHADU PRAJAPATI, A POTTER, SAYING:
"The lamps made of clay are of greater importance, because without these, earthen lamps Goddess Lakshmi cannot be worshipped."
12. EARTHEN LAMPS KEPT ON GROUND
13. DESIGNER EARTHEN LAMPS KEPT ON GROUND
14. A CLAY IDOL OF HINDU GODDESS LAKSHMI AND LORD GANESHA
15. CLAY IDOLS OF HINDU GODDESS LAKSHMI AND LORD GANESHA DISPLAYED AT A SHOP
16. CUSTOMERS BUYING THE IDOLS
17. CLAY IDOLS OF HINDU GODDESS LAKSHMI AND LORD GANESHA DISPLAYED AT A SHOP
18. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) RAHUL SINGH, A CUSTOMER, SAYING:
"Worshipping Gods with the clay lamps is considered to be auspicious, this is the reason we buy earthen lamps and clay idols of Gods and worship them. We do not trust the Chinese items, as it has also come to our knowledge that lots of poor quality Chinese items have also been seized, so we do not use Chinese items. God cannot be worshipped with Chinese items, Gods are worshipped with items made of pure clay."
19. IDOL OF GODDESS LAKSHMI AND LORD GANESHA MADE OF METAL
20. A CUSTOMER LOOKING AT THE CLAY IDOLS DISPLAYED AT A SHOP
21. A CLAY IDOL OF HINDU GODDESS LAKSHMI AND LORD GANESHA
22. A SHOPKEEPER PLACING CLAY IDOLS OF HINDU GODDESS LAKSHMI AND LORD GANESHA ON THE TABLE
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