§1What this business is
Bell metal is an alloy of copper and tin with a clear ringing sound. In this small artisan unit copper and tin rods are melted together in a 10–15 kg furnace and poured into clay or wax moulds. After cooling, the pieces are taken out, trimmed, shaped and engraved, then polished and coated so they do not tarnish. Products are temple bells, hand-held puja ghantis, hanging wind chimes, diyas and incense holders, and bells engraved with a temple's name or deity for pilgrims to take home. A master artisan leads two junior artisans.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A traditional metal artisan family, or a young person willing to learn casting from a master.
Who it is not for
Someone uncomfortable with furnace heat and molten metal.
Advantages
- Pilgrims and temples buy bells and diyas all year
- Handmade and engraved pieces earn 50–65% margins
- Scrap and rejects can be melted again
- Small space and small investment
Drawbacks
- Copper and tin are costly and their prices swing
- Skilled casting artisans are few
- Factory-made brass bells are cheaper
Skills you need
- Alloying and melting
- Mould making and casting
- Engraving and polishing
- Selling at fairs, temple shops and online
Why difficulty 3/5: Small money, but casting is a real craft skill that takes time to learn.
§3Market
Who buys
- Pilgrims and tourists
- Temples, ashrams and dharamshalas
- Puja stores and souvenir shops
How it sells
- Temple fairs, craft melas and rural haats
- Wholesale to puja stores
- Amazon Karigar, Flipkart Samarth and Etsy
Good to know
- Monthly revenue in the profile: puja bells and diyas (₹100–₹500 each) ₹75,000 – ₹1,20,000, large temple décor items (₹800–₹2,500) ₹50,000 – ₹80,000, custom engraved orders ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 and online orders ₹8,000 – ₹15,000.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Electric melting furnace, 10–15 kg capacity | — | ₹45,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Brass and bell metal moulds (clay and wax composite) | — | ₹10,000 – ₹15,000 |
| Table-top polishing machine, 0.5 HP motor | — | ₹12,000 – ₹18,000 |
| Digital weighing scale | — | ₹2,000 – ₹3,000 |
| Packaging toolkit (label printer, sealer) | — | ₹6,000 – ₹9,000 |
From: Uttarakhand DUY project profile — Local Bell Metal Craft Units in Uttarakhand
- Copper, tin and zinc rodsfirst batch of raw material ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,00,000
- Wax and clay for moulds, charcoalfor casting
- Polishing compounds and protective coatingsfor finishing
From: Uttarakhand DUY project profile — Local Bell Metal Craft Units in Uttarakhand
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam registration
- Trade licence from the local body
- GST registration once turnover crosses the limit
- Pollution control consent for the furnace where the state board asks for it
- Artisan (Pehchan) card from the handicrafts office for scheme benefits
Start it in your state
Pick your state: today’s cost, central + state subsidy, raw material, land and help, on one page.
§6Schemes & subsidies
The profile suggests a PMEGP or MUDRA loan with 20–25% of the cost as the owner's own money. Artisans can also look at PM Vishwakarma for toolkits and training.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: The profile prints a range of ₹9,00,000 – ₹11,00,000: furnace, tools and moulds ₹2,50,000 – ₹3,00,000, polishing and finishing set-up ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,50,000, safety equipment and ventilation ₹50,000 – ₹80,000, first batch of raw material ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,00,000, wages for the first 4 months ₹2,00,000 – ₹2,50,000, branding and packaging ₹50,000 – ₹70,000 and contingency ₹50,000.
Working capital: The cost includes the first batch of metal (₹1,50,000 – ₹2,00,000) and wages for the first 4 months (₹2,00,000 – ₹2,50,000).
Year not printed on the DUY profile — check current prices before you buy equipment.
§8Export potential
Export council / board: EPCH
- No HS code is given here — the profile prints none. Confirm the ITC(HS) line with DGFT or a customs broker.
- You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Burns from molten metal
- Casting defects and metal wastage
- Jump in copper and tin prices
- Sales falling when the yatra season closes
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working bell metal craft unit (temple bells, diyas and wind chimes) unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, Trade licence from the local body), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Bell Metal Craft Unit (Temple Bells, Diyas and Wind Chimes)?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.