At Khadi Bhawan in Dalibagh, the air carries the faint, familiar smell of wet earth. Rows of terracotta diyas catch the afternoon light, while idols, pots, toys and vases sit beside contemporary clay décor, each piece shaped by hand, fired in a kiln and carrying a story older than the festival itself.With over 50 stalls displaying a variety of clay items, the Mati Kala Mahotsav 2026, organised by the Uttar Pradesh Mati Kala Board, is on till November 7.Stalls have transformed the venue into a marketplace of heritage, where potters and terracotta artisans from across the state are selling not just products, but a way of life.
BCCL
BCCL
For artisans like Sameer Khan, a potter from Sitapur, the mahotsav is more than an exhibition. It is recognition of skill passed down through generations, of long hours at the wheel, and of a craft that survives only when people continue to choose it. “This festival gives our craft the recognition it deserves,” Khan says, adding, “When customers choose handmade clay products, they support not just an artisan, but an entire tradition.”And visitors appear to be doing just that. Many arrive looking for Diwali diyas and leave with much more. Textured planters, clay utensils, miniature toys, lamps and sculptural pieces that feel both rooted and refreshingly modern. “I came looking for Diwali diyas, but I found so much more beautiful, sustainable pieces with a story behind them,” says Meera Vaish, a homemaker browsing the stalls.
BCCL
BCCL
BCCL
BCCL
That is perhaps the festival’s quiet promise, in an age of mass-produced festivity, clay offers something slower and more personal. For young visitors such as Tarun Rajpal, the appeal lies in that authenticity. “These products are warm, earthy and made by hand,” he says.“Buying them feels like celebrating Diwali the right way.”
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