Bamboo and cane products used in Chhath rituals are selling briskly in markets across the Tarai-Madhesh as preparations for the festival gather pace.
At Prasauni Bazaar in Prasauni Rural Municipality-1, traders have put on sale traditional items including dala (bamboo baskets), nanglo (winnowing trays), tapari (leaf plates) and chalni (sieves), which are commonly used in Chhath worship.
The items are handcrafted by members of the marginalised Dom community, whose families in rural and urban areas of the Tarai-Madhesh rely on making and selling bamboo products for their livelihood.
Despite the growing use of plastic household goods, natural materials such as bamboo and clay continue to hold importance in religious rituals, particularly during Chhath.
Pundeo Rauniyar, former chair of Kalaiya Sub-Metropolitan City-22, said demand for traditional products during the festival provides some economic relief and encouragement to Dom artisans, while helping preserve cultural traditions.
