Kathmandu. The business of utensils and other materials made of clay and bamboo has increased in Rajbiraj Bazaar of Saptari. As festivals like Tihar and Chhath are approaching, the demand has increased as devotees are compulsorily looking for such materials.

According to local businessman Buchani Devi Sah, the demand for earthen lamps, kalash and pots used during the Tihar festival has increased after Dashain.

She said, “It has been a decade since I sold the products made of bamboo. Although there is good business at other times, there has been good business from Dashain to Chhath. ‘

She said that in other seasons, the business is around one thousand a day, but from Dashain to Tihar, the business is doubled. There is no compulsion to buy clay and bamboo materials as there is no need for the puja performed at home.

However, Mamata Jha of Rajbiraj Municipality Ward No. 2 said that since Tihar and Chhath are compulsory for everyone in Madhes, they are compelled to buy them. She said that the commercial business of earthen pots and bamboo materials is essential in every festival and worship of Madhes.

Ishrat Parbin, mayor of Rajbiraj Municipality, said that the investment at the local level will remain at the local level after the bamboo materials made by the local potters and the Marik (Dom) community of the district have been marketed.

He said that it is a positive aspect that the locals are buying and selling materials made from clay and bamboo in their own place. The people of the district do not have to depend on other districts for buying and selling bamboo and clay materials.