Aligarh is a major centre where earthen lamps are made in a huge amount every year. But potters have to wait for the end of the year festive that is diwali to get their lamps sold and to do business. However amidst this covid crisis, Ayodhya Bhumi Pujan has proven to be no less than a festival for these small businessmen to do the business.

Where the political representatives including Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh  and the religious individuals were asking the nation to light up diyas on 5th August so as to celebrate the Bhoomi pujan for Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, the residents made queue to buy these earthen lamps on this occasion.

Since monday morning more than 2 lakhs of diya have been sold within the city and people were asking to supply diyas till wednesday evening.

A potter named Prempal told Pioneer that he managed to sell over 6500 diyas since monday morning and had orders for supply of 10,000 more by wednesday evening.

Another potter Raj Kumari told that she has sold over 5,500 diyas till tuesday evening and have advance order for 5000 more including some with special designs. She further said that August is hardly a peak season for them to sell earthen lamps but Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan has come as a blessing for us im this covid crisis.

Aligarians celebrated Diwali on 5 August to celebrate the foundation ceremony of Ram Mandir. Every house in the city lighted up candle or diya to cherish the historic moment.

Aligarh Vyapar mandal President  Suresh Chand Varshney  told Pioneer that 5 August was no less than a festival for the city as well as for the nation. Shopkeepers decorated their shops and lighted diyas at home to celebrate the bhoomi pujan at Ayodhya.