Khadoniyan Wala bazaar basks in old glory as Diwali inches closer

Neeraj Bagga

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 11

Khadoniyan Wala bazaar has come into its pristine glory as an array of terracotta items like idols of gods, goddesses and lamps associated with the Puja of Diwali have been put on sale and customers making a beeline for the items.

The centuries old market, situated in a narrow maze of roads inside the walled city, has been revived with customers from all sections of society thronging to secure the articles, including toys. “Otherwise, in the digital age, people do not have time to behold these ancient artworks, said Pardeep Kumar, a trader.

The tradition revived the historic Khadoniyan Wala bazaar, once known as the evergreen market for idols of gods, goddesses and toys made of terracotta, figurines and earthen lamps across the year. The marketplace again donned the old look as the ‘festival of lights’ inches closer. The idols of Lord Ganesha, Lakshmi, and a variety of diyas abounding are the tell-tale signs. The earthen lamps are locally made and the rest of the items arrive from Kolkata, Lucknow and Agra. These items are known for their beautiful and chiselled look.

Harish, another trader, told: “Puja at the night of Diwali is considered complete with Chandol, which has four spaces to place Parshad, Diwalia (a lamp with eight wicks), Pari Mata which has two wicks, elephant and a horse.” According to him, outcome of a changed lifestyle is the reason why people come to buy only two to three days prior.

However, the pandemic-stricken times have had a significant impact. Now, not more than six shops are engaged in selling terracotta items, while many sell other items like FMCG products, cold drinks, confectionery, tailoring. A limited number of families made idols and diyas these days as the demand waned. Feeling the pulse of the changing trend, a majority of houses involved in the trade had shifted to other vocations to earn a living.