CHITWAN: Tihar, also known as the 'festival of lights' has already begun in the country, people are busy buying electric decorative lights across the country including in Chitwan.

Electric decorative lights worth over Rs 600 million have entered the country for the specific purpose of the Tihar festival this time around. Such lights are used to decorate homes, yards, offices, and alleys and lanes during Tihar festival.

According to the Federation of Electrical Entrepreneurs of Nepal central president, Tej Narayan Kharel, import of electric lamps during the festival doubles than during normal times.

Several varieties of electric lights including disco lights, electric candles and colourful tube lights have been imported for Tihar. Of the total imports, 90 per cent is from China and the remaining 10 per cent is from India.

Ironically, Nepal is totally dependent on its two close neighbours for the supply of Tihar lights.

Federation general secretary Resham Devkota said the culture of burning oil-fed lamps and using locally available materials such as mustard oil and Pomelo leaves to brighten the houses during the Tihar is gradually vanishing with the increasing use of electric decorative lights.

According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, Bharatpur distribution centre's chief Suresh Mahato, power consumption increases by 15 per cent during the Tihar.

However, the closure of industries and factories in Tihar makes it easier to manage power supply in this period, Mahato said.