Varanasi: On the eve of Saptami- the seventh day of Navratra when idols of Goddess Durga is opened for devotees after installation- several puja organisers who had placed orders for idols, could be found making hue and cry for their orders at the earliest.
On the other hand, majority of organisers have preferred Kalash Pujan while old puja organisers in Bengali dominated area have barred entry of devotees in pandals in view of Covid-19 menace.
At the workshop of Nirmal Dada, his junior Jaideo revealed that to meet expenses of wages of their regular labourers they had created 8-10 small idols of Goddess Durga and sold the same. “We did not take more orders even after the district administration granted permission for installing small idols in puja pandals on October 14 as artisan from West Bengal, who used to camp here since April every year, either avoided coming or had returned. In such a case, taking order for more idols was not a wise decision,” he said.
But, at the workshop of another prominent artisan Abhijit Biswass workshop the artisans could be found struggling to complete their orders apart from handling the puja organisers desperate to get their orders.
Biswas, who used to make around 60 idols for Durga Puja, said that as there were no orders earlier, he asked West Bengal artisans to return home. But, later the administration permitted idol installation following which he and his team members, who had around 20 structures ready, accepted the orders for around 36 idols. He said that he couldn’t refuse these orders as they were from people having decades old relations with his workshop. Biswas and his team could be found working hard to ensure that all the idols are delivered by late night to ensure timely installation.
The Kendriya Puja Samiti president Tilakraj Mishra said that many puja organisers have managed to procure small idols from artisans in Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar (Mughalsarai) in Chandauli but still idols are not available at around 100 pandals. The total number of Durga Puja organisers is above 500 in the district. “We were seeking permission for only Kalash Pujan but the administration surprisingly agreed to permit idol installation. As artisans were not in position to prepare idols within a week, majority of organisers have opted for Kalash Pujan.
As per the records, a total of 503 idols, including 259 in city areas, are installed at Durga Puja pandals every year. Following the state government’s guidelines in view of Covid-19, the district administration granted permission for puja pandals and idol installation in prescribed sizes, on October 14. District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma and SSP Amit Pathak not only made it clear that puja organisers will install idols of less than 5ft, but also directed not to hold any night-long celebrations.
At many puja pandals in Pandey Haveli, Bengalitola and adjoining areas, the idols have been installed along with banners containing instruction that entry of devotees is not allowed in view of Covid-19. Only members of the puja organising committee will be allowed to enter the pandal for performing rituals there, said the office bearers.