Abandoning their usual idol sculpting, these craftsmen are now churning out these sturdy stoves that run on firewood or coal. Selling at 4000-5000 rupees apiece, they’re a hot commodity among hoteliers desperate to avoid closures. Supplies for mid-day meals in schools have also dried up, pushing operators to slash menus and seek alternatives.

Pradeep Gupta, a restaurant owner, recounted his first encounter: ‘We heard about these drum chulhas and ordered one for 4500 rupees. It’s a game-changer with no gas in sight.’ Potters like Shambhu Pandit report booming demand, with costs at 2500-2800 rupees per stove yielding healthy margins.

What started as a single experimental unit has exploded into a full-scale operation, with orders pouring in daily from small eateries to larger hotels. ‘Everyone from hotel staff to regular folks is scrambling for options,’ Pandit noted. This shift not only keeps kitchens firing but also employs potters idle without festival idol commissions.

In the absence of official guidance on restoring commercial LPG flows, Darbhanga’s ‘jugaad’ solution exemplifies community-driven problem-solving. These clay behemoths promise to keep the food industry simmering, proving that traditional skills can fuel modern crises.