7 Unique Indian Diya Crafts That Reflect the Country’s Heritage

India’s diversity shines not just in its landscapes and languages but in its crafts. Diwali or not, the diya is more than just a lamp, it’s a vessel of tradition, region, material, and artistry. Across India, every region has its own style of diya, shaped by materials, techniques, motifs, and rituals, many of which have more than centuries of history.

Below are 6-7 diya styles tied to specific crafts: their origin and craftsmanship, what makes them special, and where you can reliably buy authentic ones, with price ranges for reference.

Bengal Terracotta Diyas 

Terracotta literally means 'baked earth'. In Bengal's Bankura district in the Panchmura village and Bishnupur among other places, artisans use local clay, mould it by hand, then fire it in kilns, often using locally available bio-fuel like dried wood. Designs may be simple bowls, lamps or decorative with engraving, motifs floral, folk symbols, or shaped into animals etc. 

The craft goes back many centuries; in Panchmura the craft traces back to the Malla dynasty (circa late 7th century AD) under which many terracotta practices flourished.  The artisans colour largely with the clay itself sometimes slip or natural paints, rely on hand-shaping, careful drying, and firing which gives the reddish/brown earthy tone. Slight variations are normal, and the glow when lit is softer, warmer. 

What makes these diyas  special are that they are eco-friendly; biodegradable; the texture and feel are very organic. The warmth of clay lamps, the rustic imperfections, the feel of folk art make each diya unique. Also because it’s tied to a GI tradition, there’s awareness and effort to preserve it.

Where to Buy :

• Art N Legacy, in Bishnupur, sells handmade terracotta diyas starting from Rs. 159 onwards.
  

• Palkhi is selling handmade Terracotta Diyas from Bengal starting from Rs. 125 onwards and it is perfect for adding a touch of traditional elegance to your home during Diwali celebrations.

• You can also buy from rural craft hubs in Panchmura, or through platforms that specialise in Bengal terracotta crafts. Bekaar Street is one such marketplace for Bishnupur terracotta crafts. Products like terracotta lamps or crafts there typically range from Rs. 150 to Rs. 500 for small-medium diyas or decor pieces.
  

Jaipur Blue Pottery Diyas

Blue pottery in Jaipur, particularly Sanganer and Amer roads is not made of ordinary clay. The body is made from a mixture of quartz stone powder, powdered glass, fuller’s earth (Multani Mitti), Katira Gond (a natural gum), Saaji (a soda-based compound), water etc. Then moulded often using POP moulds, dried, painted by hand using oxide colours, glazed, then fired at a lower temperature.

Artistic influences from Persian or Turko-Persian design, introduced during Mughal era. In Jaipur, under royal patronage, the craft was revitalised by Kripal Singh Shekhawat in mid-20th century. Flourished in Sanganer area. The motifs are often floral, birds, arabesques, geometric, with deep cobalt blue and white, occasionally with yellows or greens. Because of glaze and low firing, the finish is glossy, decorative, vibrant. Fragility is a concern, they can chip, so they are more decor or occasional ritual use rather than heavy duty everyday lamp.

What makes these diyas special are their vivid colours, glossy finish, artistic motifs, non-clay body gives a different tactile and visual quality. They also carry prestige. They suit both decor and ritual settings. Blue pottery diyas are gifts, centrepieces etc.

Where to Buy:

• GiTAGGED has Blue Pottery Lotus Diya Yellow for Rs. 239. Blue Pottery Diya from Maatigifts priced around Rs. 100.
  

• Brown Living has the perfect cute Jaipur blue pottery diya set at Rs. 840 for a set of 5, perfect for your puja room decorations and more. 

• In Jaipur itself, shops in Sanganer, Amer Road; also heritage crafts stores and government-supported handicraft emporiums. Price range for small blue pottery diyas tends to be Rs. 100- Rs. 500 depending on size or decoration; larger decorative ones can go higher.
  

Dokra or Wax Metal Casting Lamps

Dokra (or Dhokra) art uses the lost-wax (cire perdue) casting technique. Artisans make a wax model of the object, cover it in clay, let it harden, then melt out the wax, pour in molten metal (traditional bell metal or brass alloys), break the outer mould to reveal the metal cast, then finishing by filing, polishing, sometimes patina. Designs are often tribal, with motifs of animals, birds, mesh-work, folk deities and textured surfaces. 

The technique is ancient that of several thousand years, with evidence in early Indian and neighbouring civilisation metalwork. The craft persists in parts of West Bengal (Bankura, among Dokra artisans), Odisha, Jharkhand, Bastar etc. Since it’s labour-intensive process involving wax modelling, casting, finish, each piece bears the artisan’s hand. The metal surface often has a raw, tactile finish. Because of age of this craft, it has cultural or tribal associations.

What makes these lamps special are sculptural quality; contrast from clay or glaze art; durability; rustic, primitive aesthetic. The weight, the metal sheen, the traditional process make them unique. They serve not just ritual but also storytelling through the motifs. Also many items are collectible.

Where to Buy:

• Earthen Store has Dokra items from West Midnapore, e.g. brass metal Dokra works; though not always diyas, many metal lamps and showpieces fall in this craft. Prices for showpieces can go up to Rs. 6,900 (for large pieces) but simple small Dokra metal lamps or diyas may cost few hundreds to low thousands.

• Kruti Artisan Craft has intricately carved Dokra artwork diyas, perfect for being the center piece of your puja or diwali decorations, starting at Rs. 1600.

Moradabad Brass Diyas

Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh is famous for brass work—metal casting, engraving, finishing, plating. Brass diya styles include lotus shapes, akhand (continuous wick) lamps, panch-wicks, decorative engravings. The artisans cast brass, polish, sometimes plate or combine coloured enamels etc. The finish is bright, gold toned, durable.

Moradabad brass is a well-known handicraft cluster. Over decades it’s supplied brassware, utensils, decor, lamps, to many parts of India and abroad. Its work is known for both ornamentation and daily utility items. Because metal work allows fine detailing, Moradabad pieces can be more intricate. Also brass has durability, keeps shine with care.

What makes these diyas special are durable, ornate, bright; fits both ritual & decor; you can get small utilitarian ones or large show pieces. Metal lamps are less fragile than pottery or clay, though care is needed. The golden shine is especially popular in pooja rooms and temple decor.

Where to Buy:

• GiTAGGED has many Moradabad brass craft diyas, starting from Rs. 590 onwards. Intricately carved and minutely detailed, they will light up your puja space with divine energy.

Odisha Bell-Metal or Kansa Craft Diyas

Odisha’s bell metal or brass (kansa) crafts are done by communities called Kansari and more. Use of copper, tin, and, brass alloys, casting, polishing. Items include utensils, ritual lamps, and temple lamps. The finish tends to be more muted than polished brass, with patina, sometimes decorative relief work.

Deep roots in temple culture, daily ritual items. The craftsmanship involves traditional alloy ratios, casting, polishing. The bell metal is valued for its acoustic and visual qualities.

What makes these diyas special are heritage weight, both literal and metaphorical; designs often connect with temple iconography; durability; as edible oil/ghee lamps, bell metal tolerates heat well. Also, the aesthetics: warm metallic tones, often with a heritage patina.

Where to Buy:

• Utkalika in Odisha sells brass or bell metal craft. Items of bell metal or brass from Odisha often range from Rs. 500- Rs. 2000 depending on size and ornamentation.

• Priced greatly at Rs. 199, Odisha Shop has authentic handcrafted Kansa craft diyas, which will be perfect for your rangoli decorations.

Bidri Ware Metal Inlay Diyas

Bidri ware is a metal craft where a blackened alloy (traditionally a zinc-copper alloy) is inlaid with silver (sometimes gold or brass) in very fine designs. The background metal is cast, smoothed, then etched with motifs, then silver wires or sheets are embedded into the grooves, then finished/polished. A special blackening process using soil from Bidar Fort plus chemicals gives the deep black background which contrasts with the silver inlay. 

Bidri craft is believed to have developed in the 14-15th century under the Bahmani Sultanate in Bidar. It blends Persian/Islamic influence with local metalworking traditions. It flourished under patronage of Deccan sultanates and later Mughals. GI tag status ensures recognition of origin and technique. 

What makes these diyas special is the striking contrast of deep black metal with shining silver inlay, the intricacy of motifs, floral, geometric, sometimes Arabic calligraphy, the feel of heritage and rarity. Such diyas are more show-pieces or used in special rituals; you don’t commonly find Bidri metal lamps, but pieces inspired by it can make very elegant decorative diyas. Their shine, craftsmanship, and historical prestige set them apart.

Where to Buy:

• Crafts in India has a selection of Bidri ware items: boxes, decorative items, metal plates among others. They have metal inlay decorative lamps or diya-type items in some collections. Example items from their Bidri ware metal collection give a sense of craftsmanship and design.

• Tvami has Bidri Metal Work Diyas and Diya stands starting at Rs. 900, which will be perfect for puja room setups.

Kutch Meenakari or Lippan Diyas

Kutch region in Gujarat has rich traditions like Lippan Kaam (mud and mirror work), mirror-embellished pottery, and Meenakari (enamel work) styles. In this fusion style, terracotta or clay base diyas may be decorated with mirror pieces, vibrant paints, enamel accents, or even coloured metal borders. Lippan art traditionally is used for wall murals or house exteriors or interiors, but mirror work motifs and the mirror/glass detail is also adapted into smaller decorative items. 

Lippan is centuries-old; practiced by Rabari, Meghwal, Mutwa communities in Kutch. Its origin is not precisely dated, but it’s old and traditional. Meenakari as enamel work also has long history in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The mixture of clay or terracotta and mirror decoration is a folk art innovation adapting to local design aesthetics. 

What makes these diyas special are their vibrant, playful, highly decorative and reflective as mirrors catch light beautifully, with lots of colour. These diyas are both ritual-use and strong decorative appeal: great for houses, centrepieces, as gifts. Terracotta base keeps them eco-friendly; mirror and enamel make them visually striking.

Where to Buy:

• Mizizi.in sells 'Hand Painted Terracotta Akhand Diya with Mirror work' from potters of Kutch or differently-abled artisans in Bhavnagar, price Rs. 450. 

• Jhaapi has for Rs. 950, a set of 4 cute and perfect meenakari work diyas, perfect for your rangoli decorations and other home decor.