January 11,2026
- Potters in South Dinajpur Busy as Earthenware Sales Spike Before Festival
Kamal Kumar Biswas Senior Correspondent
As Poush Sankranti approaches on Wednesday, January 14, preparations have reached a peak across South Dinajpur district, reviving the rhythms of a festival deeply rooted in Bengali tradition. At the heart of the seasonal bustle is an unlikely but essential object: the humble clay sara, an earthen plate indispensable to the celebration.
In Mahinagar, on the outskirts of Balurghat town, potters are working at full stretch as demand for clay saras has risen sharply. Buyers are streaming in not only from Balurghat but also from nearby areas such as Paranpur, Pagliganj,Balupara and Patiram. Many of them are women, carefully selecting saras ahead of the ritual preparation of traditional rice cakes, or pitha.
Prices vary by size. Small saras are selling for 15 rupees, medium ones for 20 rupees and larger pieces for 25 rupees. Special oversized saras, priced at 50 rupees, are available only through advance orders. Both wholesale and retail sales are brisk, with shops crowded from morning until evening.
Local potters say the craft has been practiced in Mahinagar for generations, but Poush Sankranti transforms it into a seasonal lifeline. “This is the time when demand multiplies,” one seller said, as stacks of freshly made clay plates lined the roadside.
Residents note that burning a clay sara before making pitha is an age-old ritual, without which the harvest festival feels incomplete. With prices remaining affordable, families from across economic backgrounds are participating with ease.
Taken together, the scenes in Mahinagar reflect how a traditional festival continues to sustain local artisans, blending ritual, economy and community life. As Poush Sankranti draws nearer, the clay sara market here is not just warm—it is thriving.
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