Kolkata Artisans Recycle Durga Idols to Craft Kali Idols Ahead of Puja

In the lead-up to Kali Puja on October 20th, 2025, artisans in Kolkata's Kumartuli neighborhood are working against the clock to craft and deliver idols on time. Several of them are reusing the wood-and-straw frames of Durga idols to create idols of Goddess Kali. This practice, they say, saves time and helps reduce costs amid rising material prices.

Idol-makers explain that the frames from non-themed Durga idols are most suitable for reuse, as Kali and Durga share a similar basic structure. The difference between the two festivals is just over two weeks, leaving many artisans little time to make Kali idols from scratch. By recycling the Durga frames, they can focus on reshaping parts of the idol and reworking the clay layer before painting and decoration.