Jewel Chowdhury, Habiganj Representative //

Autumn Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Sanatan Dharmalamambi, is approaching. The main object of this festival is the idol. And around this festival, the work of making idols is going on in different places in Lakhai upazila like all over the country. As a result, the potters are having a busy time.

They are sweating to shape Goddess Durga, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesha, Lakshmi. The work of making idols is going on day and night. Artists and collaborators are making idols of Durga together. These idols are prepared with clay and straw water. Then it will be colored. For a set of idols, Goddess Durga and her four children Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesha, Lakshmi are made along with demons, lions, ducks, owls and snakes.

In Lakhai Upazila’s Moarakari Pal Para, Lakhai Swajangram Palpara, potters are having a busy time. Sajal Pal, an idol artist, and other family members are working in Lakhai Swajangram.

Nityananda Pal of Morakari Pal Para said that there are usually three for puja You have to start working months before. The work of our idol is going on. Currently, the price of clay, paint, bamboo has increased. Earlier it used to cost 20 to 50 thousand rupees to make a set of Durga idols, now it has increased to more than 60/70 thousand rupees.

Pranesh Goswami, president of Lakhai Upazila Puja Celebration Parishad, said that autumn Durga Puja will be held in various mandapams and temples in 6 unions of the upazila on Wednesday. The police are also working in the field to maintain law and order situation so that the worshipers can perform the puja without any disturbance.

Lakhai Upazila Ansar and VDP official Abdul Motaleb said that this year 102 Ansar and VDP have been appointed to ensure the overall security of 62 Puja Mandap. Among them, 64 men are Ansar and 38 women. He also said that the number of Ansar members can be increased if the government directs, Ansar and VDP members have been given directions to properly perform their duties in different places of worship during autumn Durga Puja.

It is to be noted that Goddess Durga will be invited to mortals through Chandipath in Mahalaya on October 2. Then the biggest festival of Sanatan Dharmalamambi will start from Wednesday, October 9.