Idol makers busy ahead of Durga Puja in Rajshahi

The Idol makers (Paul) are now passing a busy time, making idols of goddess Durga and others who will be worshipped by the devotees in the city as elsewhere in the country as Durga Puja nears.

Less than eight days is left when the largest religious festival of Hindu community “Durga Puja” is going to start on September 26. That is why; the Pauls are working round the clock to make sure that the idols are ready in time.

Most of such Pauls usually witness a dull time and live in economic hardship despite the fact that they had the art of making idol of goddess cherished over generations with a great passion. They get some works only ahead of large festivals like Durga Puja. The number of orders for making idols is increasing gradually. Yet, it would be difficult for many to run families with what they would earn from their work.

Noni Gopal Paul, an idol maker of Alupotti area of the city, who received order for making several idols, said cost of raw materials including earth, rope, straw, bamboo and jute for idol shave highly been increased but their remuneration has remained the same for the last several years.

“Now I have very little time to sleep as the idols are to be completed as per work orders. However; our business suffers this season due to increase of sculptor’s charges and high prices of raw materials,” Gopal said.

“Five to eight workers need 15-20 days for making a large idol while smaller ones need around two weeks each,” he added. Bishno Kumar Paul, another idol maker of the city, informed about hundreds Paul groups of Rajshahi are now busy making idols for Mandops and they have already completed 80 per cent works of making the idols.

Anil Sarker, a devotee who conducts a puja mandop in Miapara area of the city, informed preparations for the upcoming Durga Puja have become costlier due to high price of the raw materials as well as increased charges of idol makers, purohits and dhakis. Tapan Kumar Sen, Trusty of Hindu Religion Welfare Trust, informed the Durga puja will be celebrated from September 26 to September 30.

 

Idol makers busy ahead of Durga Puja in Rajshahi

The Idol makers (Paul) are now passing a busy time, making idols of goddess Durga and others who will be worshipped by the devotees in the city as elsewhere in the country as Durga Puja nears. Less than eight days is left when the largest religious festival of Hindu community Durga Puja is going to start on September 26. That is why; the Pauls are working round the clock to make sure that the idols are ready in time. Most of such Pauls usually witness a dull time and live in economic hardship despite the fact that they had the art of making idol of goddess cherished over generations with a great passion. They get some works only ahead of large festivals like Durga Puja. The number of orders for making idols is increasing gradually. Yet, it would be difficult for many to run families with what they would earn from their work. Noni Gopal Paul, an idol maker of Alupotti area of the city, who received order for making several idols, said cost of raw materials including earth, rope, straw, bamboo and jute for idol shave highly been increased but their remuneration has remained the same for the last several years. Now I have very little time to sleep as the idols are to be completed as per work orders. However; our business suffers this season due to increase of sculptors charges and high prices of raw materials, Gopal said. Five to eight workers need 15-20 days for making a large idol while smaller ones need around two weeks each, he added. Bishno Kumar Paul, another idol maker of the city, informed about hundreds Paul groups of Rajshahi are now busy making idols for Mandops and they have already completed 80 per cent works of making the idols. Anil Sarker, a devotee who conducts a puja mandop in Miapara area of the city, informed preparations for the upcoming Durga Puja have become costlier due to high price of the raw materials as well as increased charges of idol makers, purohits and dhakis. Tapan Kumar Sen, Trusty of Hindu Religion Welfare Trust, informed the Durga puja will be celebrated from September 26 to September 30.