Artisans work day and night as Durga Puja nears

SHERPUR, BOGURA, Oct 8: Preparations for Durga Puja are nearing completion in Sherpur Upazila of Bogura, with idol-makers working day and night to finish the final touches ahead of the festival.

A visit to several idol-making workshops and puja mandaps found artisans busy painting and decorating idols of Goddess Durga and her entourage after completing the clay work.

Some artisans were applying paint to dried idols, while others were carefully working on costumes and ornaments to give the idols their final look.

Srikanta Das, an artisan at Dakshin Sahapara Sholoana Temple, said the idol-making work was almost complete.

“The clay work is finished and we are now focusing on painting and decoration. We are working day and night to deliver all the idols to the mandaps on time,” he said.

Several other artisans, including Abuj of Sokal Bazar, Tapas Tambuli of Bakultala, Chandan Sutradhar of College Road and Chand Sarkar of Dakshin Sahapara, are also working around the clock.

Artisans said every stage, from building bamboo and wooden frames to applying clay, paint and decorations, requires considerable time and attention. Their workload has increased as the festival approaches.

According to the upazila administration, 56.4 tonnes of rice have been allocated for 94 puja mandaps in Sherpur. Each mandap will receive 600kg.

Security measures are also being strengthened to ensure a peaceful celebration. CCTV cameras will be installed at the mandaps, while law enforcers will maintain regular patrols and surveillance.

Mahalaya on October 10 will mark the beginning of Devipaksha. The main festivities will begin with Shasthi Puja on October 16 and end with idol immersion on Bijoya Dashami on October 21.