There is a worldwide demand for lock hardware as well as brass idols, statues and other brass household decorations, temple and church bells and European figures in the developed countries. Due to corona crisis, this business has fallen to 70%. Restrictions in temples on Shri Krishna Janmashtami faded away from the shine of this brass statue business. Now from 15 days, the idol makers have started getting orders which have risen from 25% to 30%. Navratri starts from 17th October. There is a demand for brass idols in various forms of Goddess Durga in Navratri. Orders for Deepawali have started coming from abroad. Demand for Lakshmi Ganesh's brass sculptures has also increased. Most consignments are shipped by courier for urgent delivery.
The work of brass idol was affected since 22 March due to the closed markets in other states of the country with restriction of Covid-19 and the production was halted in all the factories due to lockdown. Brass idol trading season starts from June.
There is a demand for idols on Sri Krishna Janmashtami in Mathura Vrindavan, but this time it could not be.
The markets of Vaishno Devi, Nagar Kot, Balaji, and other religious places also remained closed and there was no demand for idols. This business now started getting orders after the ban on religious places was removed.
The market is going through tough times and the raw material has also become expensive because the imported scrap is not coming. The price of brass shoots up from Rs 240/Kg to Rs 310/Kg. The raw material used in coal furnace has also become expensive. Due to expensive oxygen cylinders used in industries, skilled craftsmen have risen their wages by 20% to 25%.
Vipin Bihari Gupta, President of Aligarh Brass Statue manufacturers and Artware supplier Association, said that the festive season begins in Navratri. Started getting orders which were stopped at the time of Lockdown. We have increased our production capacity. Idols will be in demand till Deepawali.
Brass idol manufacturer Kapil Varshney told that the festive season has added strength to the business which was on the verge of closure for months because of lockdown has now caught some speed and we have started receiving orders. The raw material is expensive due to the non-import of brass.
Another brass idol manufacturer Hanumant Ram Gandhi said that with the opening of religious places in the country, the demand for brass idols in the market will increase. Also, orders from abroad from NRI living abroad started coming online this time.