Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Sept 11, 2025 (BSS) – Idol makers, commonly known as Pauls, are passing busy days crafting idols of Hindu deities ahead of Durga Puja in Khulna city and its nine upazilas. The five-day festival will be celebrated from September 28 to October 2.

With only 17 days left, the Pauls are working round the clock to ensure timely delivery of the idols. They are hopeful of better earnings this year as the number of Puja Mandaps has increased in the region.

Chandra Shekhor Paul, an idol maker of Dharmashova temple, said the cost of raw materials like clay, rope, straw, bamboo and jute has gone up significantly.

“It takes five to eight workers about 12–16 days to complete a large idol, while smaller ones require around two weeks,” he said.

Chandra, who has been involved in idol-making for over 28 years, has already crafted 28 idols in the last two months and is now working on seven more. “The cost of each idol ranges from Tk 60,000 to 70,000,” he added.

He estimated that about 100 Paul groups in Khulna are currently engaged in idol-making, with nearly 70 percent of the work already completed.

Manosh Ghosh, Joint Secretary of Dharmashova Mandir Committee, told BSS that many idols this year will be crafted with modern equipment, while the goddess will wear original sarees and ornaments.

Avijit Kumar Das Ovi, President of Sheetalabari Mandir Durga Puja Celebration Committee, said preparations have become costlier due to rising prices of raw materials and higher charges from idol makers, purohits and dhakis.

“Devotees will begin religious activities on ‘Shuvo Mohaloya’ on September 21, while ‘Shuvo Panchami’ will be observed on September 27 around 7:50 pm with the Bodhon of Goddess Durga,” he added.

Prashanta Kundu, General Secretary of Khulna city unit Puja Udjapon Parishad, said Durga Puja will be celebrated at over 965 Puja Mandaps, including 120 in Khulna city. More than 400 idol makers are engaged in the work.

“Within the next few days, decorations, lighting, and Mandap setups will give the city a festive look,” he said.

Kundu also mentioned that the list of Puja Mandaps has been sent to the Khulna City Corporation, Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), and the Deputy Commissioner of Khulna.

“We have requested them to hold a view-exchange meeting ahead of the festival, take security measures, clean the Puja Mandap areas and roads, and arrange a peaceful immersion of the goddess on Bijoya Dashami night. We have also instructed all committees to arrange their own security measures to avoid any untoward incident,” he said.

Khondokar Hossain Ahmad, Assistant Deputy Commissioner (Media) of KMP, told BSS that adequate security measures will be taken. A view-exchange meeting with city and district Puja Udjapon Parishad committees will be held within a week.