Kolkata (West Bengal) [India]: With Diwali and Kali Puja coinciding this yr on October 24, Kolkata, the city of pleasure, has been immersed in festive fervour completely.
From idol makers running for hours to complete the Goddess Kali’s idols to streets brimming with cultural activities, arrangements are in complete swing in Bengal. Indeed, it’s a delight to watch Kolkata celebrating the festival of lights in an unfettered manner after almost years of Covid pause.
Even call for offerings like idol makers, mandap decorators and caterers saw an extensive rise for the imminent Kali Puja. Mintu Pal, a clay idol maker from Kumartuli, is extraordinarily glad to acquire a sturdy order drift.
Speaking to ANI, Mintu said, “Situation has improved loads compared to the preceding years. We have received several orders for Kali Puja. We created the idols in April-May and now working on the last touches and could ship the idols to pandals.”
Mintu also said that he has received orders from overseas nations as nicely.
“We have already despatched one idol to Manchester and one to Seattle. Thankfully, we experienced first-rate commercial enterprise throughout each Durga Puja and Kali Puja. Demand for massive idols has been expanded,” he added.
However, the idol maker said regardless of the marketplace beginning up, they’re selling at less expensive prices than what they used to fetch earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It will take time for any business to flourish and bounce back to pre-COVID days. “We at the moment are paying Rs 1800 to Rs 2000 in line with labour as compared to the previous labour costs of Rs 1100 to Rs1200 so ultimately the fee of the whole idol is greater however we are forced to sell it at low fees as human beings aren’t willing to spend hefty amounts post-COVID. Our income had been decreased however, we’re satisfied to return to commercial enterprise,” Mintu stated.
Kali Puja, likewise known as Shyam Puja, is widely known on the brand new moon day (Dipannita Amavasya) of the Hindu month Kartik. Goddess Kali is represented inside the scriptures as a black female with four palms; in one hand, she has a sword, and in the other, the top of the massive she has slain. The other two hands are for Abhaya Mudra i.E. Safety and Varada Mudra for granting boons.
