They also said rise in labor cost has made candles expensive this year compared to last year. According to traders, price of candles has increased by Rs 5 to Rs 80 depending on size.[break]
Candle sales hit peak during Tihar, also known as the festival of lights, when people light up their homes and hearths to welcome Laxmi - the goddess of wealth. In recent years, however, people are turning to attractive electric lights which are becoming increasingly affordable. Also, electric lights are long-lasting compared to candles.
“Candles sales have fallen also because of rise in prices. We had to increase price as our production cost increased because of hike in labor cost,” Uttam Kaji, a wholesaler of candles at Asan, told Republica. “Workers demand Rs 600 per day. Skilled workers charge even more.”
Ratna Shrestha, another wholesaler of candles at Mahabouddha, said growing popularity of electric lights have affected candle business this Tihar. “Decorative lights are available at cheaper rates. Also, they are attractive and easy to handle,” Shrestha added.
Shrestha, who had sold candles worth around Rs 40,000 per day last year, said sales are down significantly this year.
Now only the candle business, the growing popularity of affordable electric lights have affected sales of clay lamps as well. Ashok Rajthala, a wholesaler of clay lamps, said many people prefer electric lighting system through which they can light up their entire house just by pressing a switch. “Sales are definitely down, but I cannot give you the exact figures,” he added.
Despite drop in sales, potters in Bhaktapur are busy preparing clay lamps for Tihar festival.
Meanwhile, traders dealing on electric decorative lights are witnessing bumper sales. “Sales this year are up by more than 30 percent compared to last year,” Bikash Gautam, a wholesaler of electric items at New Road, told Republica. In monetary terms, daily sales at Gautam´s store have gone up by Rs 10,000 compared to last year.
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