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.

The growing demand for these recycled structures has created a small but thriving market, with some people even turning the collection of discarded frames from immersion ghats into a seasonal occupation. However, strict immersion guidelines for Durga idols have reduced the number of frames making it back to Kumartuli, leading to a surge in prices.

Despite the challenges, the practice of recycling Durga idol frames has become an essential part of Kali Puja preparations in Kolkata, helping small artisans manage expenses and time constraints.