The image of Goddess Durga is slowly emerging from clay, straw and bamboo as artisans in Rangpur work long hours to complete idols ahead of the Hindu community’s biggest religious festival.

Inside workshops and temples, the scene is one of intense activity.

Preparations are underway to celebrate Durga Puja at 5,753 mandaps across the eight districts of Rangpur division.

Some artisans apply layers of clay to bamboo-and-straw frames, while others carefully shape the faces and features of the idols.

Painters add the final touches with brushes, gradually transforming rough clay structures into colourful representations of Durga and her family.

With Durga Puja drawing closer, artisans are working from morning until late at night to meet deadlines and deliver the idols to different puja mandaps in the division.

Artisans first build the basic structure with bamboo and straw and reinforce it with twine.

Several layers of clay are then applied, with each layer allowed to dry before the next stage begins. Once the clay hardens, artisans refine the body and facial features before painting and decorating the idols.

A complete set usually includes idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesh and the demon, along with accompanying figures and animals such as lions, buffaloes, owls, ducks and snakes.

A recent visit to different workshops and temples in Rangpur division found artisans busy at various stages of production.

As the festival approaches, the pressure on the artisans is mounting. Many have little time to rest as they race to complete the orders and transport the idols to their respective mandaps on time.

For the artisans, however, Durga Puja is more than a busy season.

It is both an important source of livelihood and a celebration of an artistic tradition passed down through generations.

Yet rising prices of raw materials and stagnant payments from puja committees are squeezing their earnings.

“I have taken orders to make idols for 12 puja mandaps this year. I have already completed 10, while work on the remaining two is underway,” said artisan Biren Nath.

“Although the prices of everything have gone up, the puja committees are not increasing their budgets accordingly. After buying the necessary materials and completing the work, there is very little profit left,” he said.

Biren said it takes around two months or more to make a complete Durga idol, depending on its size, design and the requirements of the organisers.

“With the puja approaching, we now have to work day and night to finish the remaining orders within the deadline,” he said.

Another artisan, Sabuj Chandra Sen, said the rising prices of essential goods has significantly increased the cost of making idols.

“But our wages have not increased accordingly. So, despite all the hard work, we are unlikely to make much profit this year,” he said.

For artisan Naresh Pal, idol-making is not merely a profession but also a part of the region’s art and heritage.

“Giving an idol its form with clay, starting from a simple frame, and finally making it beautiful is a painstaking process. But when we see people enjoying the idols after they are installed, all our hard work feels worthwhile,” he said.

According to the festival schedule, the formalities of this year’s Durga Puja will begin with Mahalaya on October 10. Maha Panchami will be observed on October 15, followed by Maha Shashthi on October 16, Maha Saptami on October 17 and 18, Maha Ashtami on October 19, Maha Navami on October 20 and Bijoya Dashami on October 21.

Alongside idol-making, work is progressing on decorating mandaps, installing lights and making other arrangements for the festival.

Rangpur division president of Puja Udjapan Parishad Ramjiban Kundu said district administrations and police authorities had held several meetings to ensure the smooth celebration of Durga Puja.

“We have already sent letters to the authorities concerned regarding maintaining law and order at all puja mandaps in the eight districts. Volunteer teams have also been formed at each mandap,” he said.

Rangpur Range DIG Abdul Mabud said necessary security measures would be taken to prevent any untoward incident during the festival.

“Preparations are being made in coordination with puja committees and other stakeholders to maintain overall law and order during the celebrations,” he said.