Extensive preparations are underway across the city and district for the celebration of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, with more than 2,485 puja mandaps expected to be set up this year. Idol makers, artisans, and puja organizers are working day and night to complete idols, pandals, and decorations ahead of the five-day festival, which will begin on October 17 with Maha Shashthi and conclude on October 21 with Bijoya Dashami.

The festive atmosphere has already gripped different parts of the city and district as artisans give final touches to idols of Goddess Durga and other deities at locations such as Sri Sri Radha-Krishna Nitai-Gaur Bandhukunja Ashram, CRB seven-road intersection, Sadarghat Kalibari, Ghosh Bari, Hazari Lane, Dewanji Pukur Par, and Chawkbazar. At the Nitai-Gaur Bandhukunja Ashram, 86-year-old artist Tulsi Ranjan Pal noted that over 50 Durga idols are being made this year. Other artisans shared that while modern techniques like gas heat and moulds are being adopted, the rising costs of raw materials such as bamboo, wood, straw, clay, and paint have added challenges.