RAJSHAHI, Oct 1, 2018 (BSS) – Idol makers commonly known as pauls are
passing their busy days in making idols of Hindu deities ahead of Durga Puja
festival in Rajshahi city, nine upazilas of the district.
With only two weeks left, the Pauls are working round the clock to make
sure that the idols are ready in time.
The Pauls hope for earning better earnings this year as the number of
pujamandaps has increased in the region.
Kartik Paul, an idol maker of Alupotti area of the city said cost of raw
materials including earth, rope, straw, bamboo and jute for idols have highly
been increased.
“Five to eight workers need 10-15 days for making a large idol while
smaller ones need around two weeks each,” he added.
Paul said that about one hundred Paul groups of Rajshahi are now busy making
idols for mandops and they have already completed 80 per cent works of making
the idols.
Swapon Ghosh, a devotee who supervises a puja mandop in Kumarpara area
of the city, informed that 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, trustee of Hindu Religion Welfare Trust, told BSS that
the Durga puja will be celebrated in more than 422 puja mondaps including 70
in Rajshahi city from October 14 to 19.
Around 500 idol makers are engaged in making idols for Durga Puja in the
region.
Decorations of temples, lighting, and setting up of mandaps have already
turned the city into a festive look.