Cuttack, Sept 30: The festive spirit is already taking over Cuttack as artisans work tirelessly to prepare Goddess Durga idols for the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.

At different puja mandaps across the city, artisans are busy shaping the idols with bamboo, straw and layers of clay. While intermittent rain has slowed down the work to some extent, it has failed to dampen the enthusiasm of artisans and puja committees.

18-Foot Durga idol takes shape

At the Professor Pada puja mandap, preparations are underway for what is being described as one of the tallest Durga idols in the state.

The idol, standing around 18 feet tall, has completed its first phase of clay work. Artisans are now preparing to begin the second layer.

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Meanwhile, at Haripur Dolamundai, artisans are working on the straw framework of the idol. The first layer of clay is expected to be applied within the next few days.

170+ puja mandaps prepare for Durga Puja

Durga Puja holds a special place in Cuttack’s cultural calendar. More than 170 puja mandaps across the city are preparing to worship Goddess Durga and Hara-Parbati.

While idol-making continues, puja committees are also busy decorating their mandaps and making arrangements for devotees.

The district administration and Commissionerate Police have also stepped up preparations for the festival. Meetings with peace committees, puja committees, the administration and police have been held to coordinate arrangements and ensure peaceful celebrations.

Single-window system for puja committees

To make the permission process easier, the administration has introduced a single-window system, allowing puja committees to obtain necessary permissions from one place.

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Arrangements are also being made for the live telecast of Durga Puja celebrations, similar to the system used during the Rath Yatra.

Following disturbances reported during last year’s Dussehra celebrations, authorities have appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate with the administration and help maintain peace during the festival.

‘Working on Maa Durga’s idol is different’

For artisans, idol-making is not merely a profession but an expression of faith and devotion.

“I am handling five to six idols. The bamboo work is already done, and now we will proceed with the first and second layers of mud. Working on the Goddess’s idol feels very different from any other task. We work with such devotion that we don’t think of anything else. It is unique and distinct from all our other works,” said artisan Debendra Muduli.

As clay takes shape and the idols slowly come alive, Cuttack is transforming into a vibrant festive hub, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Goddess Durga.