664 puja mandaps ready for Durga Puja in Habiganj
Aziz Siddiki, Habiganj
Preparations for the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja are progressing in full swing across Habiganj, with idol makers and artisans working day and night to complete the idols and decorate the puja mandaps ahead of the largest religious festival of the Hindu community.
A total of 664 puja mandaps across nine upazilas and six municipalities of the district are being prepared to celebrate the festival. Artisans are now busy giving the final touches to the idols of Goddess Durga, while colourful decorations are being installed at different mandaps.
The main rituals of the festival will begin on October 16 with Maha Shasthi and the ceremonial awakening of Goddess Durga. The celebration will continue with Maha Saptami on October 17, Maha Ashtami on October 19 and Maha Navami on October 20. The festival will conclude on October 21 with Bijoya Dashami and the immersion of the idols.
According to the traditional Hindu calendar, Mahalaya will be observed on October 10, marking the beginning of the festive atmosphere ahead of Durga Puja.
Of the 664 puja mandaps, 44 are in Habiganj Sadar upazila, 12 in Shayestaganj, 66 in Lakhai, 27 in Ajmiriganj, 122 in Baniachong, 73 in Chunarughat, 100 in Madhabpur, 55 in Bahubal and 81 in Nabiganj.
Among the municipalities, there are 35 mandaps in Habiganj Municipality, 8 in Shayestaganj Municipality, 8 in Ajmiriganj Municipality, 9 in Chunarughat Municipality, 15 in Madhabpur Municipality and 9 in Nabiganj Municipality.
During visits to several puja mandaps, artisans were found working intensively with clay, bamboo, wood, straw and jute rope to create the idols. Many of them said the idol-making work would be completed before the beginning of the festival.
Kartick Pal, an idol maker from Richi village of Habiganj Sadar upazila, said he usually makes idols for 15 to 20 puja mandaps every year.
“This year, I have taken orders for 14 idols. Twelve have already been completed, while work on the remaining two is expected to be finished within the next two or three days,” he said.
According to Kartick Pal, the cost of making a regular idol ranges between Tk 35,000 and Tk 40,000, while the cost of making larger idols can reach Tk 70,000 to Tk 80,000, including labour and materials.
He said the prices of raw materials had increased compared with previous years, reducing the profit margin of artisans.
“Idol-making is our ancestral profession. Despite the rising costs, we have to continue this work to preserve our family tradition,” he said.
Ajit Pal, an idol maker from Machulia area of Habiganj town, said he had been involved in the profession since childhood.
“I took orders for eight idols this year. Six have already been completed and the remaining two will be finished soon. We are trying to make each idol attractive through artistic work and colourful painting,” he said.
He also said the cost of making idols had increased significantly, making it difficult for artisans to earn satisfactory profits.
Advocate Ranjit Pal, another idol maker from Machulia, said idol-making was his family's ancestral profession.
“I learned the craft alongside my studies during childhood. Although I am now involved in the legal profession, I continue idol-making as a hobby and to preserve our family tradition,” he said.
Ranjit Pal said he works on idol-making for around one to one and a half months every year during the puja season.
“This year, I am making seven idols. Five have already been completed, and the remaining two will be finished before the puja begins,” he said.
Meanwhile, elaborate decoration work is also underway at different puja mandaps across the district.
Helal Mia, a decoration artisan from Dhaka, said he had come to Habiganj to decorate a puja mandap beside Nayer Pond in the town.
“The decoration is being designed in the style of a famous temple in India. We are working to complete the entire setup before the beginning of Durga Puja,” he said.
Habiganj Puja Udjapan Parishad General Secretary Lion Advocate Arjun Chandra Roy said Habiganj has a long-standing tradition of communal harmony.
“Durga Puja has been celebrated peacefully in Habiganj in the past, and we hope the same atmosphere will prevail this year. Preparations are progressing at all 664 mandaps, and no untoward incident has been reported so far,” he said.
He urged the authorities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply and strengthen security at the puja mandaps during the festival.
He also said all puja mandaps in Habiganj town had been brought under CCTV surveillance, while steps were being taken to bring many mandaps in rural areas under CCTV coverage.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) Rashedul Haque Chowdhury said security measures had already been taken at the puja mandaps.
“Idol makers are working peacefully under security arrangements. The administration is maintaining regular communication with the leaders of the puja celebration committees. We hope members of the Hindu community will be able to celebrate Durga Puja peacefully,” he said.
With idol-making and decoration work nearing completion, the puja mandaps across Habiganj are gradually taking on a festive look ahead of the five-day Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations.
