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Artisans Rush to Craft 1,200 Durga Idols for Navratri
5 Oct
Summary
- Over 250 artisans are creating approximately 1,200 Durga idols.
- Idols range from three to nearly 20 feet in height.
- Orders have been received from Indore and neighboring districts.
As Navratri draws near, a festive atmosphere envelops Bengali Chouraha and Kanadia in Indore. Over 250 artisans are intensely working across nine workshops, transforming bamboo, straw, and clay into approximately 1,200 idols of Goddess Durga and other deities. These idols, destined for pandals and homes, vary in size from three to nearly 20 feet, with many larger ones already booked by organizers in Indore and neighboring districts.
The creation process is meticulous, beginning with a bamboo-and-straw framework. Layers of clay are applied to form the body, followed by finer clay for delicate features like the face, hands, and fingers, ensuring a natural appearance. This painstaking work is nearing completion, with painting, eye detailing, and ornamentation to follow.
Bengali-style Durga idols, featuring the Goddess with her family, are particularly sought after this season, alongside traditional Sherawali and Ambe designs. Demand extends beyond Indore to cities like Ujjain, Dhar, and several in Rajasthan. Artisans, many from families with generations of experience, note a sharp increase in work post-Ganesh Chaturthi, with some staying in Indore for up to four months to meet the festive demand.
