After creating a stir last year with a Durga idol made of rice stalks, renowned artisan Biswajit Pal from Natore has now crafted a unique idol using golden jute fibers, capturing widespread attention once again. The idol, built under the initiative of Rabi Sutam Sangha at Lalbazar’s Kadamtala, has been attracting large crowds of devotees and visitors since Shashthi.
According to the organization’s General Secretary Partha Roy, they try to bring innovation every year in idol-making. Continuing that tradition, they decided to use jute this year. Artist Biswajit Pal worked for nearly two months using wood, bamboo, clay, and around 20 kilograms of golden jute to craft the idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesh, the demon Mahishasura, and the lion. After completing the decoration, the idol was installed at the pandal on Saturday night.
Explaining the process, artisan Biswajit Pal said that first the framework was shaped with bamboo, wood, and clay. Once dried, the structure was wrapped with jute fibers, and finishing touches were added with paint to bring out the features. “It was not an easy task, but I wanted to present something new for the visitors,” he said.
Visitors expressed delight, saying that although they had seen many types of idols before, a jute-made idol was a rare and extraordinary experience. Since Shashthi, the Kadamtala pandal has been witnessing overwhelming crowds.
Meanwhile, Acting President of the Natore District Puja Celebration Council, Khagendranath Roy, informed that this year a total of 368 temples and pandals across the district are hosting Durga Puja, which is 14 more than last year. He also mentioned that CCTV cameras have been installed at every pandal for security.