The work of making idols is going on for the upcoming autumn Durga festival

//Palash Chandra Das, Barisal Correspondent//

At the arrival of autumn, I wish the whiteness of the white flowers waved and a little dew point shows that the door is shaking. Autumn Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals of Bengalis and one of the main religious festivals of traditional religions. The work of making idols is going on in the Durga Puja Mandap of Barisal, a fertile land of non-sectarian spirit of all castes and religions. A total of 590 pujas will be celebrated in Barisal district and 44 mandapams in the city this year. After visiting some pavilions in the district and searching in other upazilas, it was found that the work of idols made on the occasion of puja has already been completed about 70 percent. In a few days, after the rest of the work, the Durga idols will come alive with the scratch of paint. The artisans who make idols at Kaunia Mandap in the city said that they have about 10 days time. After completing the clay work, painting, dressing and adorning the idol, the idol should be handed over to the temple authorities.

So they are working day and night. An artisan of the city’s Bhatikhana temple said that the clay work of the second phase is mainly difficult and time-consuming. We have already completed that. The rest of the work will be completed within eight days. Manik Murkhaji, general secretary of the district branch of Puja Udyapan Parishad, said that instructions have been given to the heads of the committee. This autumn festival will be celebrated colorfully while maintaining communal harmony. (Manik Mukherjee) According to the information given, Durga Puja will be held in maximum 161 mandaps in Agailjhara upazila in Barisal division like other years.

In addition, Durga Puja will be held in 590 mandaps including 84 in Gournadi, 116 in Uzirpur, 59 in Banaripara, 25 in Babuganj, 11 in Muladi, 24 in Mehendiganj, 15 in Hijla, 71 in Bakerganj and 24 in Barisal Sadar. Which is 15 more than last year. Chanchal Das Pappa, general secretary of Barisal Mahanagar Puja Udyapan Committee, said that Durga Puja will be held in a total of 44 mandaps in the city this year. Of which 38 are public and six are private. According to Panjika, on September 25, the message of arrival of the Goddess has been officially announced through Mahalaya. Goddess Durga’s Navapatra Kalparambh begins on October 1 through Shashti Puja. On that day, the sound of drums and kansar will be heard in the pavilion.

Mahasaptami on 2nd October, Mahashtami on 3rd October, Mahanavami on 4th October and Dasami Vihit Puja on 5th October will be celebrated with the dedication of the Goddess.