Kumal community members produce clay lamps for Tihar festival

The Kumal community in Bhaktapur, Nepal, is manufacturing clay diyos and palas to meet high demand for the upcoming Tihar festival.

Families belonging to the Prajapati lineage have spent months preparing these clay utensils, which people use to light up homes and courtyards during the festival of lights. The production process involves kneading clay, shaping it on a potter's wheel, drying the items in the sun, and firing them in traditional kilns.

Because the rainy season makes it difficult to dry the clay, workers focus on production during the winter and sunny seasons. They source special clay from nearby areas like Sankhu, Harisiddhi, and Duvakot, or from the Terai region. The local production serves a wide market. Around 60 to 70 families in the area participate in the trade, sending their products to Kathmandu to be distributed across the country.

While electric lights and plastic decorations have entered the market recently, many people still choose traditional clay lamps to maintain cultural and religious practices. The younger generation is also joining the trade to support their families. Some teenagers spend their school holidays learning the craft from their parents and helping to shape the clay. These workers produce hundreds of lamps daily to ensure a steady supply for the peak season.