Noor Mohammad, a 58-year-old idol maker from Haldia, near Kolkata, is very busy these days. His handmade idols of Maa Durga are in great demand as Durga Puja, the biggest festival in West Bengal, is just three days away, starting on October 9. Noor Mohammad is well-known in Haldia, where many Puja committees order their idols from him. He feels blessed and says, “All this is a gift from God. What my Guru has taught me is helping me today.” This year, he has many orders to fulfill.
The Festival Schedule and Preparations
The Durga Puja festival begins on ‘Mahashthi’ and continues with ‘Mahasaptami’ and ‘Mahashtami’ on October 11. The festival, which celebrates the goddess’s power, ends on ‘Mahanavami’ on October 12, followed by ‘Dashami,’ when the idols are immersed in water, symbolizing the goddess’s return to her home. This year, the police have allowed 2,808 Puja committees to set up their pandals, which are beautifully decorated with lights and colors. Workers are busy adding finishing touches to the pandals, making them look attractive for visitors. Local vendors are also preparing food stalls, turning the area into a lively fair.
Community Involvement and Economic Opportunities
Durga Puja is a time when many people come together to celebrate. Many Muslim workers from nearby states like Jharkhand and Bihar come to Kolkata during this festival. They arrive about 15 days before the celebrations, looking for work as laborers or setting up small stalls selling toys and balloons outside the pandals. Javed, a young vendor, says, “We have been waiting for Durga Puja for so long.” His friend Qurban adds, “We pray it does not rain, or we will lose money.” These workers pay a small fee to the Puja committees and return home happy after the festival.
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