Preparations for Durga Puja begin with Mahalaya

As night falls, the work continues without letup and idol makers are working from morning until late at night to bring Goddess Durga to life using clay, straw and bamboo frames. Some are busy decorating the idols, while others are putting the finishing touches on intricate clay details. With the festival drawing closer, there is hardly any time to rest.
Mahalaya, observed on Saturday, marked the beginning of the Devi Paksha, the auspicious fortnight dedicated to the goddess. Recitations from the Chandi, traditional Agomoni songs welcoming the goddess and the ritual of painting the eyes of Goddess Durga have set the countdown to the festival in motion. Alongside idol making, organizers are also busy decorating the pandals and installing lights.
This year, preparations are underway to hold Durga Puja at 2,568 pandals across Chattogram district and metropolitan area. Of these, 2,274 are in the district and 294 in the metropolitan area.
On the occasion of Mahalaya, some pandals are also holding puja rituals and ceremonies to paint the eyes of the goddess. With the beginning of Devi Paksha, a festive atmosphere has spread across the pandals. Like the idol makers, organizers at each venue are busy with decorations and other preparations. They are also rushing to purchase puja supplies and checking with artisans on the progress of their idols.
Artisans are working hard to complete and deliver the idols on schedule. Shanti Pal has been making idols for nearly 15 years at Loknath Shilpalaya in Sadarghat. He said, “There is not much time left before the puja begins. We started delivering idols two days ago. The workload is now very heavy, and we work until around 4 a.m. There are about 60 to 65 idols here. We supply idols from here to Hathazari, Raozan and Kumira in Chattogram, as well as to Cox’s Bazar.”
Each stage of idol making requires specialized skills. Artisans first build a framework using bamboo and straw, then cover it with layers of clay. Once the clay dries, they smooth the surface and add intricate details. Finally, paint, clothing and ornaments bring the idols to life.
Along with Durga, idols of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesha must also be made with the same care.
The frameworks and clay work for many idols have already been completed. Artisans are now concentrating on the delicate details of the faces and eyes. Some are arranging the clothing and ornaments, while others are using their brushes to bring out the features of the deities. Each idol requires extra attention to ensure its individual design and beauty stand out.
Making idols involves much more than shaping clay. The craft reflects years of experience, creativity and precision. Every detail—from the goddess’s facial expression and the look in her eyes to the gestures of her hands and the patterns of her clothing—requires considerable skill. Even a minor imperfection can affect an idol’s appearance. Despite the pressure of deadlines, artisans strive to maintain the quality of their work.
Through their skilled hands, the idols of Goddess Durga are gradually taking shape. Soon, these creations will become the centerpiece of the pandals, where the formal celebrations of Sharadiya Durga Puja will begin.
Preparations also extend to the many other elements associated with the festival. Microphones, drums and other musical instruments are an integral part of the celebrations, and the artisans who make and repair them are seeing their workloads increase as Durga Puja approaches.
Specialized artisans also make the goddess’s crowns and ornaments. They begin working months in advance, crafting crowns with intricate designs and decorative details.