Friday, 12 January 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
With barely ten days left for the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Dehradun is now seeing a significant spike in the demand of diyas or the traditional earthen lamps. Notably, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted the people across the country to celebrate the consecration of the Ram temple at his birthplace by lighting diyas in every home in the same way people celebrate Deepawali. Consequently, people have started purchasing diyas to be lit in their homes to mark the occasion. The sellers of traditional diyas based in the city said beamingly that they have received several advanced orders for diyas.
Speaking to this correspondent on this matter, a diya seller, Vishnu Kumar said that this is the first time he is seeing such a huge demand for diyas, post-Deepawali. “Around this time, people seldom purchase diyas. But this year, it is different thanks to the upcoming momentous event of Ram Mandir consecration. To meet the surge in the demand, we have been working day and night. We have to finish things on time,” he said with a beaming smile on his face.
Another diya seller in the city Manu Kumar echoed the view, saying that he had received a number of advanced orders for diyas for the ensuing consecration ceremony. “Not just individuals but the temple committees have ordered diyas in advance. We are now working hard to prepare the diyas. Everyone must have diyas to light in his or her home to celebrate the great occasion in line with the Prime Minister’s exhortation to the nation,” he added.
A local resident Laxmi Singh told this correspondent that she had already purchased diyas to light up her house on January 22-the day the consecration is slated for. “We are preparing to welcome Lord Ram in an appropriate way and diya has a dignity which is unparalleled. Lord Ram and diyas are inseparable. While Lord Ram exemplifies positivity, diyas emanate positive energy,” she added.
