As the grandest religious festival of the Hindu community; Sharadiya Durga Puja, draws near, the final touches are being added to idols of Goddess Durga across Dighalia Upazila in Khulna district.
From early morning until late at night, local clay artisans are busy shaping and painting divine figures, transforming imagination into stunning reality.
Every Puja mandap in the upazila is now abuzz with decoration, excitement and last-minute preparations.
In just a few days, the rhythmic beat of dhak drums will signal the arrival of the festivities and the entire region will echo with devotional chants and joyful celebration.
According to the local Puja Celebration Committee, this year Durga Puja will be held at 61 mandaps across the six unions of Dighalia Upazila.
On-site visits on Sunday revealed a flurry of activity: idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesha are being crafted using bamboo, wood, straw, jute string and clay. Artisans are now focusing on painting and adding the finishing decorative touches.
Clay sculptors Bikash Pal, Dilip Pal and Tapas Pal shared that although the cost of materials has increased significantly this year, their spirits remain high.
“Even if profit margins are low, the joy surrounding the festival makes it worthwhile,” they said.
Organizers are also grappling with higher expenses, but the enthusiasm of devotees remains undiminished.
Amit Ghosh, president of Senhati Shiva Temple Puja Committee, along with General Secretary Babu Tanmoy Mustafi and Treasurer Babu Uttam Das, noted that wages for idol makers have slightly increased this year. Despite financial constraints, they are doing their best to manage expenses.
They also confirmed that the government has distributed 500 kg of rice to each mandap as a form of support.
President of Dighalia Upazila Puja Celebration Committee, Soumitra Dutta, and General Secretary Pradeep Kumar Biswas emphasized the importance of uninterrupted electricity and a peaceful law-and-order situation throughout the festival.
“We are fully prepared and we hope the administration will ensure smooth celebrations,” they said.
In terms of security, Dighalia Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) H M Shaheen said intelligence surveillance around temples has been intensified. Each mandap will have Ansar personnel deployed and volunteer teams are being formed.
Instructions have been issued to install CCTV cameras at all mandaps, while the district and upazila administration, police, navy and other law enforcement agencies will remain on high alert during the celebrations.
All in all, the spirit of Durga Puja is in full flow across the upazila. As skilled hands shape the goddess with love and devotion, hearts of devotees brim with joy, reverence and anticipation for the days ahead.
SMS/SH
