The countdown for this year’s Sharodia Durga Puja has begun. The main attraction of the Durga Puja is the idols (pratima) of Hindu Goddess Durga. The artisans in Meherpur are busy making these idols for the upcoming Sharodio Durga Puja, the largest festival of the Hindu religion.
When the correspondent went to visit the hundred years old Siddheswari Kali Temple at Boro Bazar in Meherpur town, it was seen that the artisans are working to make these idols. These skilled artisans are doing the primary work with straws and clays. In a few days, they will paint the idols using brushes and colours.
Potters Sajal Kumar Pal, Sajib Kumar Pal and Bonomali Kumar Pal are passing busy times together creating idols in a noise-free environment. They came from Mohammadpur area of Magura district.
It was learnt that, it takes the potters three to four days to make the idol for this mandop. If the mandop is bigger, it takes five to seven days. They are working to make idols for two mandops in Meherpur. The primary work for the idol of one mandop is complete.
The primary work of the idol in Siddheswari Kali Temple premise has already been completed. After making another idol, they will come back to Meherpur after 10 days to paint the idols. Every year they eagerly wait to make the idols of Goddess Durga. They make the idols not only for their livelihood. Their religious feelings, devotion and love are connected with it as well.
Idol Artisan Sajal Kumar Pal said I am making idol for this temple for 12 years. We make 10 to 12 idols every year. The wages we earn by making these idols are not that much. However, religious feelings and devotion inspire us more than the money.
Another artisan Sajib Kumar Pal said I am working here for the first time. After completing the work of this idol, we will work on three or four idols.
Potter Bonomali Kumar Pal said we have done two works in Meherpur district, one at Haldar Para and another at Boro Bazar. This year, I have made nine idols till now with my team. We will make four to five more idols in the remaining time. Primarily, we paint the idols 10 to 15 days later after making them.
Sharodio Durga Puja is the largest festival of the people of Sanatan religion. The Goddess Durga will descend to the mortal realms after a few days. Potters across the country who make the idols are passing busy times centering around the arrival of the Goddess. The grandiose festival of Bengali Hindu people starts from Maha Sasthi with the beating of dhaks, a traditional music drum of the Indian continent. The Durga Puja will start from October 9 with Maha Sasthi and end on October 13 with Bijoya Dashami.
District Puja Committee member secretary Dr Ashok Chandra Bishwas and organizing secretary Joy De Kumar Saha said in Meherpur, 14 mandops in the Sadar Upazila, 11 mandops in Gangni Upazila and seven mondaps in Mujibnagar Upazila were built till now. A total of 32 mondaps are being built in the district this year. The number of puja mondaps was 43 last year. Compared to that, the number has reduced by 11 in Meherpur this year.
