Natore:Idols of Goddess Durga, decorated with sago and corn grains, have become a focal point for devotees and visitors in Natore, giving this year's Durga Puja celebrations a unique artistic flair.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Shridhar Sarbojanin Puja Mandap in Ghosh Para featured an idol adorned with sago, while the Ramchandra Temple Puja Mandap, located on the premises of Rani Bhawani Rajbari, showcased an idol decorated with corn grains. The distinctive decorations have attracted thousands of visitors to the Ramchandra Temple mandap, where they participated in the Maha Shashthi observance on Friday, the inaugural day of the six-day festival.
Fifteen local youths dedicated nearly two months to crafting the corn-adorned idol, utilizing approximately three maunds of corn. They meticulously prepared each grain and applied them with adhesive to achieve the final design. Bidhan Chandra Debnath, general secretary of the Puja celebration committee, noted the significant turnout on the opening day, indicating the success of their efforts.
Shrabani Basak, a visitor, commended the craftsmanship and remarked that the corn-grain-covered idol might be a first for the country. At the Shridhar Sarbojanin Puja Mandap, artisans used 85 kilograms of sago for the idol's decoration. Suman Ghosh, president of the mandap committee, highlighted the artisans' dedication, while Tapas Ghosh, general secretary, expressed optimism about attracting many visitors.
Bablu Goswami, the priest of the Shridhar Sarbojanin Puja Mandap, explained that the goddess was formally welcomed through the bodhon ritual on Friday evening, and religious ceremonies will continue until Bijoya Dashami, marking the festival's end. Visitor Jayanta Mani noted that Natore has seen similar innovative decorations in past years, using materials like jute, mung beans, and rice grains.
A total of 403 Puja mandaps have been established across the district this year. The town is adorned with decorative gates, colorful illuminations, and music, while traditional drumbeats enhance the festive atmosphere. To ensure peaceful celebrations, security measures have been intensified, with each mandap having at least one police officer and several Ansar members. Police and Special Reserve Battalion patrols are also actively monitoring the area.