Durga Puja 2024: Small ‘Ekchala’ Durga Idols in Demand

With Durga Puja around the corner, idol makers are busy crafting idols. This year, smaller Durga idols seem to be in demand. Many people, including expatriate Bengalis, residents of various housing complexes, Bengalis living outside the state, and single families, are eager to celebrate Bengal’s biggest festival.

Due to the inconvenience of transportation and the cost of bringing large idols from the state, small Durga idols offer a convenient alternative. Kolkata remains a popular location for the transportation of idols, particularly those from Kumartuli.

Considering the logistics of transportation to Kolkata, where the entire setup is managed in Kumartuli, separate idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Ganesh, Saraswati, and Kartik are transported safely.

Kumartuli is a locality in Kolkata known for its community of idol makers who create idols for various gods and goddesses. Every year, Kumartuli attracts skilled artists from various distant districts like Nadia, who contribute to the creation and decoration of idols throughout the year.

Small Durga masks are often used to adorn homes and pandals, allowing people to get a taste of the upcoming Durga Puja festival. Gour Pal, an idol maker from Chaugachha in Nadia, West Bengal, specialises in creating ‘Ekchala’ Durga idols ranging from 20 inches to a maximum of four feet in size. Within an ‘Ekchala’, he crafts traditional-style Durga idols where Maa Durga and her children are crafted with intricate detail.

“Making small idols require considerable effort, time, and patience compared to larger ones. The delicate work involved in making small idols takes more time than that for large Durga idols,” Gour Pal said.

Pal creates Durga idols ranging from 20 inches to four feet, which he sells wholesale in Kumartuli, Kolkata.

“The small Durga idols are sold wholesale in Kumartuli for around Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500. This year, I have received around 50 orders for both small and large idols,” Gour Pal added. His father, also an idol maker, is currently working to meet the high demand for small idols.