Durga idols take final shape as Narail gears up for Puja

With the autumn breeze carrying the fragrance of shiuli flowers and white kash grass swaying across the countryside, Narail is bustling with final preparations for the upcoming Durga Puja.

In the district's traditional potters' quarter, artisans are putting the finishing touches to clay idols of Goddess Durga and other deities. The idols have moved from straw-and-clay frames to their final forms, with painters now busy adding colour and carefully drawing the eyes and other details.

The process begins with building a straw framework, followed by layers of clay, drying, painting and intricate decoration. After weeks of work, most idols are now nearing completion.

“I have been making idols for 15 years. We work from morning until 9PM,” an artisan said, adding that they make idols on orders from Puja committees across the district.

The price of an idol depends on its size, design and the amount of work involved, he said. Besides Durga idols, the artisans also make idols of Saraswati and Kartik.

Preparations are also progressing at the Puja venues, with organisers working on pandal decoration, lighting and other arrangements.

Rising costs, however, have added to organisers' budget concerns. The president of a local temple said expenses for this year's celebration have increased compared with last year.

According to the district Puja Celebration Council, 543 Puja mandaps will host Durga Puja across Narail's three upazilas this year. Of these, 249 are in Narail Sadar, 144 in Kalia and 150 in Lohagara.

The district Puja Celebration Council said it is monitoring preparations at the mandaps and maintaining communication with relevant stakeholders to ensure the festival is held smoothly and peacefully.

As the final strokes of colour bring the clay idols to life, the festive mood is spreading across Narail. Artisans, organisers and local communities are now waiting for the arrival of Goddess Durga and the start of the celebrations in an atmosphere of joy and communal harmony.